Spartan Victory is Lancaster’s 250th

AURORA, Ill. January 10, 2008 - Aurora University men’s basketball coach James Lancaster earned his 250th career victory with the Spartans 72-61 win over Northern Athletics Conference opponent Concordia University - Chicago. With the victory, Lancaster continued to add to his legacy at AU. In January of 2006, Lancaster surpassed the legendary Don Holler for the most wins as men’s Head Coach in AU history (208). Holler was 207-154 in 14 years as the Head Coach of the Spartan men’s program before Lancaster succeeded him in 1994.

In last night’s contest, the Spartans traveled to River Forest to defeat the host Cougars in decisive fashion. AU led throughout the contest, never trailing the Cougars before AU opened the flood gates in the second half, finishing with the 11-point victory. The Spartans took a 10-point lead to halftime (32-22), finishing the half on a 10-0 run.

AU led by as many as 19 points in the contest (twice in the second half) and shot 39.7 percent (25-63) from the field. The Spartans were led by junior guard Jarrett Satrwood’s game-high 17 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Joining Starwood as AU offensive leaders scoring in double figures were junior guard Chad Trudo (15 points), senior forward Mike Leonard (14 points and six rebounds) and senior forward Doug Lambert (10 points).

During his tenure as the men's head coach, Lancaster has amassed a composite record of 250-105 (.704), which is the highest winning percentage of any men's basketball coach at AU. Entering the 2007-2008 season, Lancaster was 24th in wins among the NCAA men’s basketball active coaches and 25th in winning percentage all-time. His Spartans won back-to-back titles in the Northern Illinois-Iowa Conference in 1997-1998 and 1998-1999 and again in 2003-2004 and 2004-2005. He also led the men's program to their first ever NCAA Division III playoff appearance in 1998 and his team repeated that performance in 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2007. In 2005, AU hosted their first NCAA men’s basketball tournament game and did so again in 2007.

Lancaster was named the 2006-2007 Northern Athletics Conference Coach of the Year and was the Northern Illinois-Iowa Conference Coach of the Year a total of five times, back-to-back twice in 1997-1998 and 1998-1999 and 2003-2004 and 2004-2005. In his first season as AU's men's head coach in 1994-95, he was tabbed as the NIIC's Coach of the Year. This gave him the unusual distinction of winning that award back-to-back both as women's coach in 1993-1994 and as a men's coach.

The Spartan men’s basketball team is in action next on Saturday, January 12, 2008, when they host Concordia University – Wisconsin on AU Partnership School Day. Game time is set for 4:15 p.m. in Thornton Gymnasium.