WEST PALM BEACH, FL -- It would take double-overtime to decide a winner and in the end the Spring Arbor University Cougars outlasted the Cornerstone University Golden Eagles 92-85 Friday night on day two of the Chuck Daly Memorial Classic. Spring Arbor lost a hard fought 81-78 overtime decision a day earlier to the #1 ranked Northwood University Seahawks.
Junior Chris Bellamy led the way again for SAU as he scored 23 points, grabbed six rebounds and tallied four steals. Junior Matt Howe netted 21 points and pulled down seven boards while junior Matt Van Pelt added 16 points and dished out seven assists. Sophomore Caleb Byers chipped in with 12 points.
The Cougars led 44-38 at halftime and let by as many as nine in the second stanza but the Eagles would not go away and would take their first lead of the game with under six minutes to play. It would be back-and-forth the rest of the way.
Spring Arbor had a chance to win the game at the end of regulation and Cornerstone would have that same opportunity at the end of the first overtime period but neither team was successful.
In the second overtime, Van Pelt and Bellamy hit consecutive three pointers to put the Cougars up six and they would not be threatened.
Spring Arbor shot 46 percent from the field while Cornerstone connected on 43 percent of their shots. Spring Arbor held a narrow advantage on the boards 38-36.
Bellamy and Van Pelt played 45 minutes each while Howe garnered 42 and sophomore Rob Hogans and Byers were credited with 38 and 33 minutes.
Our guys showed tremendous toughness. They were exhausted but refused to lose. I am very pleased with the progression of our team.
The Cougars also defeated the Eagles in the MCC/WHAC Challenge back on November 12th 65-57.
Spring Arbor (11-4) will return to action on Jan. 3rd when they travel to Winona Lake, IN to play the 7th ranked Grace College Lancers. The Cougars will then host the 6th ranked Indiana Wesleyan University Wildcats on Jan. 5th.
Prior to Northwood and Windsor tipping off the widow of Chuck Daly was honored at midcourt.
