Spartan Men Knock of NAC Rival Benedictine

AURORA, Ill. December 8, 2007 - The Aurora University Spartan men’s basketball team defeated the visiting Eagles of Benedictine University 85-81 on Saturday evening in Thornton Gymnasium.

The first half witnessed sloppy play turn into a quick-paced transition game, with Benedictine out-pacing Aurora 41-37. The Eagles were led at half by junior guard Jared Bailey. Bailey erupted for 23 points on 9-of-13 shooting from the field.

On the other end, AU was led by sophomore forward Shane Roland, who knocked down three three-pointers en route to 11 first half points.

The Eagles led for most of the first-half, building a 12-point lead with five minutes left in the half only to see the lead evaporate on a Spartan 15-3 run.

The second half would prove to be a back and fourth game of fast-paced offenses, with the Spartans gaining the final edge after controlling the scoreboard for most of the half.

The two rivals traded leads for the first seven minutes of the second-half before AU took what looked to be a commanding 10-point lead with eight minutes to play.

But a 10-0 run led by BU’s Bailey knotted the game at 69, leaving the raucous crowd on the edge of their seats.

The host Spartans were able to withstand the resilient Eagles, led by senior stand-out Larry Welton’s seven-of-eight shooting from the free throw line in the closing minutes to seal the contest.

Aurora was led by Welton, who rebounded from his slow first half to finish with 29 points and six rebounds. Welton also played top-notch defense, finishing with three blocked shots.

Welton wasn’t the only Spartan to get in on the scoring, with three other AU players finishing in double-digits. Roland finished with 18 points, while senior forward Doug Lambert had 14 points and nine rebounds and junior guard Chad Trudo finished with 14 points and eight rebounds.

For the Eagles, Bailey continued his dominant play throughout the entire game, finishing with a game-high 39 points on 13-of-21 shooting from the field, nine rebounds and four assists. His night also included him shooting .500 (three-of-six) from beyond the arc.

With the win, Aurora moves to 5-2 overall and 3-0 in the Northern Athletics Conference. Benedictine falls to 3-4 overall and 2-1 in the NAC.

Aurora looks to continue its winning ways on Wednesday, December 12, when they travel to Rockford in order to take on NAC foe Rockford College. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m.