In a game that was close for the first fifiteen minutes, the Spring Arbor University men's basketball team used a five minute burst at the end of the first half to blow the contest wide open and never looked back, breezing by the Mustangs of Marygrove College 87-73 on Saturday.

Junior Willie Pickvett led five Cougars who scored in double digits as he scored a game high fifteen points on 5 for 10 from the field and a perfect 4 for 4 from the line.  DJ Baisden and Jared List each tossed in a dozen points of their own while Christ Bellamy and Rob Boss checked in with 11 and 10 points respectively.

The Cougars shot a blistering 57% from the field in the first half and 55% overall for the game.

"We were able to get our young guys some time today, and they responded well," commented SAU head coach Ryan Cottingham.  "Willie continues to get better and I was encouraged by both Jared List's and Chris Bellamy's play.  We will need our best if we hope to get a win against Goshen on Tuesday."

The Cougars welcome Goshen College on Tuesday in their final game of the first loop of MCC play.  Spring Arbor and Goshen sit tied fourth place at 4-3 in loop play, making Tuesday's matchup pivotal heading into the final eight games of the regular season.  The game is scheduled to tip off at 7:00 p.m.