The Spring Arbor University men's basketball team claimed their eighth win of the season including their fourth straight victory as they defeated the Taylor University Trojans 67-60 on Saturday afternoon. With the victory SAU improves to 8-2 overall and 3-0 in MCC play. Spring Arbor is also part of the five MCC teams that are including in the NAIA national rankings, ranked 25th.
Leading 33-23 at halftime the Cougars built a 15 point lead early in the second half before the Trojans stormed back and cut the deficit to one point at 52-51. Spring Arbor would never relinquish the lead and made several key free throws down the stretch to hold Taylor off. SAU shot a sizzling 24-for-25 from the line (96%).
Senior Rob Boss led the Cougars with 19 points, six rebounds and five assists while junior DJ Baisden added 17 points. Freshmen Chris Bellamy chipped in with eight points as he connected on both his three point attempts and was a perfect 2-for-2 from the free throw line.
"We obviously did an outstanding job from the line and we were able to make some stops when we needed to," commented head coach Ryan Cottingham. "However, I was really disappointed with our defensive effort in the second half. We lacked the focus and the effort that we expect from our team."
With their 3-0 conference mark the Cougars sit alone atop the MCC and won't have another league game until January 5th when they travel to Mishawaka, IN to face the Bethel College Pilots.
"It's nice to get off to a good start but I'm more concerned with how we finish," added Cottingham. "We've got to continue to improve from week to week."
The Spring Arbor University men's basketball team will host Kuyper College on Tuesday, Dec. 8th with tip-off scheduled for 7:00pm.
