ADRIAN, MI – Before tonight's game with the 16th ranked Siena Heights Saints, Spring Arbor was hitting over 50% of the 68 3-pointers they took and even though it was early in the season, it was best in the NAIA DII in that category. Tonight against the Saints, SAU hit 6-24 and the Cougars fell 80-53 for their first loss of the year against three wins.
Siena Heights turned the tables a bit on the Cougars and shot very well from the field, including 6-12 from 3-point range.
On paper, the game was evenly played. Siena Height edged the Cougars in rebound (38-36) but Spring Arbor had 17 offensive boards compared to just five for SHU. The Cougars committed less turn-overs (14-18), and had more steals (7-5).
The difference in the game was defensive pressure and the edge went to Siena Heights. The Saints blocked six of the Cougars shots and kept Spring Arbor shooting percentage below 30% from the field.
The current Crossroads League player of the week, Carlie Newman led Spring Arbor with 15 points and five rebounds while Kylie Townsley added 11 points. Jessica Garrison delivered 10 points for the Cougars hitting two 3-pointers on the night.
Spring Arbor will host the Trinity Christian College Trolls (0-5) at 1:00 on Saturday afternoon. The Cougars defeated TCC 67-48 last year, in the only meeting between the two schools in the last seven years. It's the first of two meetings this season as the two schools will face each other in the first game of the SportsONE Classic Tournament on December 30 in Fort Wayne, IN.
