SPRING ARBOR, MI - As far as conference games go, this game with Goshen College was as important as any the Spring Arbor University Cougars would play so far this year. The Cougars had lost their last two games and Goshen was tied for second place in the MCC. Spring Arbor needed to win this one, especially on their own court.

Spring Arbor won the low scoring game by 12 points, 60-48, but after 10 minutes into the game, the outcome never seemed in doubt. Spring Arbor held a 22 point lead with 10:51 left in the game and was dominating play on both ends of the court.

Played in front of one of the largest crowds of the year, Sophomore Rob Hogans didn't disappoint the fans with a couple of thunderous dunks to ignite the Cougar faithful. Hogans would score 17 points on the afternoon hitting 6 of 12 shots from the field and connecting on all of his four free throw attempts in the game.

Heading into the game, Spring Arbor lead the Nation at any level in free throw percentage at just over 81% for the season. Going against conventional wisdom, the Maple Leafs would send the Cougars to the line for 29 free throws, 10 more than the Cougars average. Spring Arbor was uncharacteristically poor from the line for the game, hitting only 16 of 29 (55%) throws and that is what kept the Maple Leafs in the game.

Goshen would eventually close the gap to nine points in the second half but it was with 1:05 remaining and the game well in hand for Spring Arbor.

Chris Bellamy scored 17 points in the game and that marked the first time in eight games that Bellamy failed to top the 20 point mark. Bellamy has scored in double digits in every game but one when he scored 8 points against Siena Heights played in Adrian, MI.

Bellamy needed 31 points to score 1000 points in his career and with the next two games on the road, it appears that milestone will occur away from home. More than likely it will happen during the next game in which is Taylor University in Upland, IN on the 17^th of January.

Matt Howe cleared 10 rebounds to lead Spring Arbor in that category and Matt Van Pelt scored 10 points and dished out five assists. Howe also blocked three shots for the Cougars.

The win places Spring Arbor into a log jam 3^rd place tie in the Conference at 4-4 with four other teams. Grace College leads the MCC at 7-1 and Huntington University is second at 5-3. Taylor University and Marian University are both at 3-5 and Mount Vernon Nazarene is last at 2-6, but have won two in a row.

Spring Arbor and Taylor square off Tuesday night at Taylor at 7:00.