ANN ARBOR, MI – Spring Arbor University's men's basketball team built a commanding 20 point lead over the host Concordia University with 13:05 remaining on Tuesday night. Concordia made a fast and furious run towards the end of the game, but it wasn't enough to upend the Cougars as Spring Arbor held on to win 92-89.
The Cougars had five players score double digits led by Chris Bellamy's 23 points and Rob Hogans' 22 points. Greg Hamilton was 5-6 from the field as he scored 13 points and Matt Howe and Jiles Neelyt added 11 and 10 points respectively.
"We had really good intensity for the first 30 minutes," said Coach Ryan Cottingham. "But we need to get tougher finishing the game. Greg Hamilton gave us a big spark off the bench in the second half tonight. Concordia is very unconventional and you have to give them a lot of credit for competing throughout the entire game."
The win improves the Cougars to 3-0 on the season and will be taking the perfect record into the Crossroads/WHAC Challenge this weekend in Grand Rapids. The Cougars face Cornerstone University Friday night in the late game starting at approximately 8:00 and will then play Aquinas College Saturday at 1:00.
Cornerstone (0-0) will be opening their season with the Cougars and are ranked #20 in the preseason polls in the NAIA. Aquinas is 1-2 so far this season.
