WINONA LAKE, IN – For the second straight time in as many games the Spring Arbor University men’s basketball team came from behind to win a basketball game. The latest comeback was Wednesday night as the Cougars toppled the Lancers of Grace College in Winona Lake, IN 64-57.
Spring Arbor got off to a shaky start trailing the Lancers by 20 points after 12 minutes of play with the score 34-14. But the Cougars finished out the first half strong with a 19-3 run and went into the break trailing Grace 33-37.
Xavier Prather hit a field goal with 14:40 on the clock to tie the game for the first time since the tip at 41-41 and Greg Hamilton nailed a 3-pointer with 5:07 to tie the game up for the third and last time at 52-52.
After Grace scored a 2-point field goal, Thomas Starks connected on a 3-pointer to give Spring Arbor the lead which they would never relinquish for the rest of the game. Rob Hogans scored the last eight points for Spring Arbor, hitting six of six from the free throw line as well as a field goal.
Hogans lead Spring Arbor with a game high 22 points, Greg Hamilton poured in 18 points, and Starks added 12 points for the Cougars.
Spring Arbor out-rebounded Grace 40-32 thanks in large part to Starks nine boards and Xavier Prathers eight rebounds. Jiles Neely pulled down five rebounds.
The win pulled Spring Arbor into a tie for fourth place at 3-2 with NAIA #4 Bethel College and #15 Indiana Wesleyan University. The Cougars are 8-9 overall.
The Cougars return home for a Saturday afternoon tilt with Taylor University on Bockwitz Court at 3:00 pm. The Cougars split with the Trojans last season and own a 10-7 record over Taylor since 2006
Dave Mayotte, SAU