SPRING ARBOR, MI - If there was ever a way to start the season off on the right foot, this was the way to do it. The Cougars played the second game on Day one of the Trent Allen Memorial Tip-Off Tournament against Great lakes Christian College and soundly defeated the Crusaders 110-60 to set the tone for the 2011-2012 basketball season. The 110 points is the most scored since Spring Arbor defeated Bethel College 98-92 on February 3, 2007.

Five Cougars scored in double digits led by Chris Bellamy's 23 hitting 7 of 14 shots from the field. Matt Howe knocked down 22 points on 9 of 14 shooting, cleared nine rebounds, and blocked three shots in the process.

"It was a good first game for us," said Coach Ryan Cottingham. "I saw some things I really liked out there tonight. Twenty seven assists against only 11 turnovers is really good, but defensively we have to be better."

Rob Hogans got the home crowd fired up early in the game with one of his high-flying dunks which capped a 10-0 run to start the game and the season. Hogans would finish the game with 16 points and five rebounds on the night.

"Matt Van Pelt did a good job for us on both ends of the court," continued Cottingham. "He sets the tone for us and did exactly what we needed him to do.

Van Pelt just missed a double-double on the night scoring 10 points and dishing out nine assists.

Spring Arbor hit 22 of 29 free throws, hit 53% from the field and held the Crusaders to a 37% field goal percentage. The only stat line that the Cougars didn't dominate was rebounding. Great Lakes out-rebounded Spring Arbor 47-38.

Matt Carden poured in 12 points coming off the bench and hauled in 4 rebounds.

"This was a great game for us in that everybody got to play, everybody scored, and to start out like that is very nice," said Cottingham. "We'll take it, and let's see if we can build on that."

The Cougars will face Lourdes College Saturday afternoon at approximately 3:00 following the Brescia College and Great Lakes match-up. Brescia defeated Lourdes 71-66 in overtime just prior to the SAU-GLCC game. The Brescia-GLCC game will tip off at 1:00 pm.