Spartan Men’s Basketball Drop 2008-2009 Season Opener

AURORA, Ill. November 15, 2008 - The Aurora University men’s basketball team was defeated 67-61 by the visiting Big Blue of Millikin University on Saturday night at Thornton Gymnasium.

Both teams started their 2008-2009 campaigns cold, as the Spartans and Big Blue combined to miss 17 of their first 18 three point attempts.

However, Millikin was able to build an early lead behind strong efforts from senior forward Tunde Ogenleye and junior forward Robert Burton who both had six points. The Spartans were led by junior forward Shane Roland’s 10 points.

The Spartans opened up the second half trailing 33-25 yet came out of the locker room determined to make up for a lackluster first half effort.

AU was able to tie the game at the 4:45 mark when freshman guard Kevin Vandenburg knocked down a jumper to make the score 58-58. Seconds later, senior forward Chris Lee put the Spartans in the lead 60-58 when he hit a jumper.

Yet, the Big Blue was too much for the Spartans down the stretch, as Millikin would end on a nine to one run to finish the game.

Ogenleye scored nine points second half points and finished with a game-high 15 and Corey Mitchell added 12 including five in the final four minutes to put the game out of reach for AU.

Top Spartan performers included Roland, who finished with 14 points, and senior forward Chad Trudo, who also chipped in 14 points in the losing effort. Sophomore forward Skyler Ormsbee had 13 points and a game-high nine rebounds.

With the loss, the Spartans fall to 0-1 while the Big Blue improves to 1-0.

Next action for the Spartans comes on Tuesday, November 18, when they travel to Elmhurst to take on the Elmhurst College Blue Jays. Game time is set for 7:30.