Spartan Men Pick Up NAC Victory

AURORA, Ill. January 12, 2008 - The Aurora University men’s basketball team picked up its 11th win of the season on Saturday afternoon as they defeated the visiting Falcons of Concordia University (WI) 90-66. The win pushes Aurora’s record to 11-3 overall and 7-0 in the Northern Athletics Conference, while Concordia falls to 6-6 overall and 3-4 in the NAC.

The Spartans got off to a slow start, but managed to pick up the pace about midway through the first half. Aurora would eventually take a 39-32 lead into halftime. The Spartans were paced at the intermission by junior guard Chad Trudo and sophomore forward Shane Roland, who each contributed 10 points, with Roland’s coming off the AU bench. Falcon senior forward David Lipanot led all scorers going into the break, with 11 points on five of nine shooting.

The second half saw more of the same, as Aurora was able to get everyone involved in the offensive game and Concordia struggled to keep up with the Spartan offense. The Spartans were led by senior forward Larry Welton, who had 16 points and six rebounds on five of nine shooting from the field. Welton was also a perfect five of five from the free throw line. Other Spartans getting involved in the scoring action were: Trudo (13 points and eight rebounds), junior guard Jarrett Starwood (11 points and three assists), freshman forward Scott Malewig (11 points on three of four shooting from three-point range), Roland (10 points), senior forward Doug Lambert (nine points) and sophomore forward Lance Robinson (six points, six rebounds, five steals and four assists).

The Falcons were led by Lipanot, who finished with a team-high 11 points. Senior center Josh Atkinson also contributed for the Falcons, as he finished the game with eight points. Atkinson was good on both three point shots that he attempted.

Aurora had 12 of 15 players score on the night and shot 49.2 percent (31-of-63) from the field for the game, including 44.8 percent (13-of-29) from three-point range.

The Spartans return to action on Thursday, January 17, when they play host to Rockford College. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. in Thornton Gymnasium