FORT WAYNE, IN – The shooting touch returned for Spring Arbor University's men's basketball team as they upset the University of St. Francis on their home court on Tuesday night. The Cougars had five players in double digits and shut down St. Francis' offense in an important 86-67 Crossroads League victory.
Chris Bellamy led all scorers in the game with 18 points hitting two of four 3-pointers and six of seven free throws, but it was Matt Van Pelt who enjoyed his best shooting night of the year and had a season high 16 points. Van Pelt hit four of five from 3-point range as well as passing around six assists.
Rob Hogans added 15 points to the tally, Matt Carden poured in 11 points and Peter Barry had his 3rd double digit game of the season by chipping in with 10 points.
Spring Arbor built an early 10 point lead in the first few minutes with a 13-3 lead and would close out the first half with a 15-6 run to head to the lockers with the score 45-26 for a 19 point lead at intermission.
The close of the first half was aided by a double technical foul on Sat Francis and Bellamy made good on the opportunity by making all four free throws and the Barry rubbed it in by burying a field goal for the six point play.
Spring Arbor would continue to pour it on the host Cougars and build a 29 point lead (63-34) with 13:51 remaining in the game. It was simply holding on, and maintaining pressure defensively for the Cougars, which they were able to do, and the Cougars would set it on cruise control for the rest of the way for the win.
The win moves the Cougars into 7th place in the Crossroads League with a 4-7 record as Huntington (3-8) lost to Marian (5-6) by the score of 82-72. In other CL action, Grace (8-3) upset Indiana Wesleyan (9-2) 80-77, Bethel (10-1) takes sole possession of 1st place by pounding Goshen (0-11) 105-67, and Taylor (8-3) handled Mount Vernon Nazarene (2-9) 66-49.
Spring Arbor will return home for a match-up with Marian University on Saturday afternoon. Game time is slated for 3:00 pm.
