SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – The Spring Arbor University men’s basketball team wrapped up its 2015-16 home slate with a thrilling 88-84 overtime win over Huntington University on Tuesday night behind a 31-point performance from junior Caleb Hogans.
Spring Arbor trailed by two late in the second half, but Hogans hit a contested, driving lay-up with six seconds remaining to force overtime. In the extra period, the Cougars, again, found themselves down with less than a minute on the clock when Hogans knocked down a jumper to put SAU in front for good.
It was the second straight 30-point effort for Hogans after dropping a career-high 32 in the win over Marian University on Saturday. The Farmington Hills, Michigan native finished 10-for-22 from the field and was a perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line while also adding seven rebounds and three steals.
Freshman Anthony Qasawa registered his first career double-double with 20 points and a season-best 11 rebounds. Sophomore Zach Medendorp netted 11 points and seven boards to go along with five blocks.
After a back and forth start to the contest, Huntington (13-16, 7-10 CL) pulled ahead midway through the opening half and would maintain that lead most of the period. The Foresters held a slim 27-26 lead with six minutes to play in the half when Qasawa powered a quick 7-0 run to give Spring Arbor the advantage. The Cougars would eventually take a 41-33 lead into halftime.
Buckets from freshman Kyle Bartholomew and senior Peter Barry helped Spring Arbor push the margin to double digits early in the second stanza. However, Huntington would outscore SAU 15-4 over the next six minutes to retake the lead.
The Foresters led by as many as eight, 68-60, with 4:31 remaining, but Hogans fueled a dramatic comeback scoring the final 14 points of the period for the Cougars, including the lay-in just before the buzzer to force overtime.
In overtime, the visitors battled back from a five-point deficit to grab an 82-81 advantage with 50 seconds left on the clock. Hogans answered for the Cougars, though, hitting a tough jumper to regain the lead, and following a huge defensive stop, he would seal the victory with four free throws down the stretch.
The win was the second straight for Spring Arbor and sends seniors Greg Hamilton and Barry, who were playing in the final home game of their careers, out on a high note. Hamilton finished with seven points, eight rebounds and three assists, while Barry chipped in two points and five boards.
Spring Arbor (8-21, 2-15 CL) will conclude its season at No. 11 Bethel College (21-8, 10-7 CL) on Saturday, Feb. 20 in a 3 p.m. tip.