MARIAN, IN - Spring Arbor University got the best of Aquinas College tonight in the first game of the MCC/WHAC Challenge played at Indiana Wesleyan University. The Cougars (3-1) took advantage of a 35-20 halftime lead and held on for the 71-63 win over the Saints (1-3).

It was Matt Van Pelt's turn to come up big for Spring Arbor as he led all scorers with 24 points hitting four of eight shots from long range and was a perfect six for six from the charity stripe.

Spring Arbor was 16-17 as a team from the free throw line.

Chris Bellamy continues to play with a hot hand scoring 22 points. He also was perfect from the free throw line hitting all seven of his free throws.

Caleb Byers was the third Cougar in double digits scoring 11 points. Byers was three of four from 3-point range and also led Spring Arbor with six rebounds.

The win for Spring Arbor came despite losing the battle of the boards 20-33, and serving up 15 turnovers in the game.

Spring Arbor will play Cornerstone University in the second game of the MCC/WHAC Challenge again, at Indiana Wesleyan University. Game time is set for 1:00