SPRING ARBOR, MI - Oh so close! Spring Arbor and Marian University went toe to toe almost the entire game and with 11 seconds left on the clock, the Cougars had a chance to tie the game up with the Knights with a 3-pointer. But the Lady Cougars just couldn't get a shot off as time ran out with Marian taking the win over Spring Arbor 53-50.

Despite a game high 17 points from Audra Norris and with Spring Arbor out-rebounding the Knights 40-30, the Cougars lost a tight one they had a chance to win.

Neither team was able to pull away from the other at any point of the game. The biggest lead over the 40 minutes was only six points. Both the Cougars and Knights took the lead from the other six times each. As far as basketball games go, this was as close a game as one will see in college basketball.

The Knights entered today's game at 6-5 in the MCC and receiving votes in the latest NAIA DII poll and tied with4 other schools in the brutal MCC Conference. The win for Marian places them in a three way tie for 3^rd place at 7-5 with Huntington and St. Francis.

For the Cougars, the loss still places them in a tie for eighth place with Mount Vernon Nazarene at 3-9. With Grace College and Taylor University three game up on the Cougars, it looks like MVNU and SAU will battle it out for the eighth and final spot for the MCC Post Season tournament. Spring Arbor defeated Mount Vernon the first time around and will meet again on February 15^th in Ohio.