Durnell Leads Spring Arbor Men’s Basketball Past Goshen on Senior Day

Brandon Durnell.  Photo courtesy Spring Arbor University.

(January 31, 2021 8:23 AM)  The Spring Arbor University men’s basketball team defeated Goshen College 89-76 on Senior Day behind 27 points from Brandon Durnell.  

In addition to his 27 points, the senior standout from Fort Wayne grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds to register his seventh double-double of the season. 

Prior to the contest, the Cougars recognized three seniors, Connor Cottingham, Brandon Durnell and Spencer McPherson, for their contributions to the program. 

With the score tied 17-17 midway through the first half, Joshua Laman led SAU on a 16-6 run to take the lead. Laman fueled the scoring spurt with 10 consecutive points for the Cougars over a span of three minutes. 

Spring Arbor led by as many as 16 in the opening stanza, and would take a 47-34 advantage into the halftime break. 

Goshen battled its way back into the game early in the second half, cutting the deficit to three, 60-57, with 13:27 to play. That was as close as the Maple Leafs would get, however, as the Cougars quickly pushed the margin back to double-digits. 

Five Cougars reached double figures, led by Durnell’s 27 points. Daniel Cluster finished with 15 points and nine rebounds while Laman recorded a career-high 14 points. Denver Cade added 13 points and six boards and Nate Flannery chipped in 10 points and six assists. Goshen was led by Tahj Curry, who tallied a game-high 32 points. 

Up next, Spring Arbor hosts Great Lakes Christian College on Monday, Feb. 1 at 7 p.m.