WINONA LAKE, IN - For the third straight game, Spring Arbor University's men's basketball team was in a nail-biter. But despite a brilliant performance from Cougar stand-out guard, Chris Bellamy, The Cougars headed home short one point falling to Grace College 68-67.

Bellamy led all scorers in the game with 30 points hitting 12 of 19 shots from the field including two of three from beyond the arc and hitting all four free throws. Bellamy has scored over 23 points in four straight games for the Cougars.

Spring Arbor hasn't had the easiest stretch of games during this exciting stretch either. It took an extra period for the #1 ranked team in the NAIA (Div II) to beat the Cougars, and for the second time this season, the Cougars beat the defending National Champion Cornerstone Golden Eagles, the second time in double overtime. This last game, Spring Arbor almost beat the #7 ranked Lancers on their court.

Matt Howe netted 16 for the Cougars and narrowly missed a double-double grabbing nine rebounds. Howe also blocked two shots on the night.

Rob Hogans added 15 points as he hit all five of his free throws.

Losing never feels good and moral victories can't replace real ones but Head Coach, Ryan Cottingham was looking for the silver lining in this game.

"We competed extremely hard and I am very pleased with the way we played down the stretch," said Cottingham. "Bellamy was phenomenal again. He is emerging as a big time player in our conference as well as on the national level. Chris has a chance to be really special."

The Cougars will return home after more than a month away from the friendly confines of "The Cougar Dome". But it won't get any easier for the Cougars as the #6 ranked Indiana Wesleyan Wildcats will visit on Thursday night for a 7:00 tip.