SPRING ARBOR, MI - The scoring tandem of Chris Bellamy and Rob Hogans lifted the Spring Arbor University men's basketball team to a huge win over Huntington University in front of more than 1300 fans at Bill Bockwitz court in the Fieldhouse of Spring Arbor University. Bellamy and Hogans combined for 41 points as Hogans 21 points led the Cougars in scoring for the fourth straight game.
While the contributions of Bellamy and Hogans were important to the cause, it may have been the inspired play of junior Caleb Byers that lifted the Cougars to victory and clinched the 6th seed in the MCC Tournament which starts on Wednesday. Byers had his best game of the season scoring a season high 18 points and hauling in a game high nine rebounds. Byers hit 3 of 5 shots from long range while going 6 of 12 from the field.
Spring Arbor will open the MCC Tournament on the road against Marian College in Indianapolis on Wednesday night with a 7:00 tip. The Cougars split the regular season matchups with Marian with each team capturing the home contest.
Today's game was tight all throughout the first half with neither team able to gain a lead larger than six points. Spring Arbor would eventually head into the break with a 39-36 lead.
The start of the second half was much of the same for the first seven minutes until the Cougars would start to pull away with 13:10 to play in the game. SAU held a 12 point advantage at the 11:37 mark which would hold steady until 4:21 to go in the game.
That's when the Cougars started to pull away and shut down any attempt by Huntington to gain the momentum.
Bellamy finishes the regular season with a team high 620 points which brings his career total to 1183 points. The total places Bellamy 27th on the All-Time Scoring list. Earlier this season, Bellamy became the 39th player to top the 1000 point mark.
The winner of #3 seed Marian and #6 seed Spring Arbor game on Wednesday night will play the winner of Grace and Taylor. Grace, the #2 seed will host the #7 seed. The higher seeded team plays at home
