LANSING, Mich. – The Spring Arbor University men's basketball team opened its 2014-15 campaign with an 82-66 win over Great Lakes Christian College on Monday night.
Sophomore Thomas Starks recorded his second career double-double, posting a career-high 25 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. Junior Xavier Prather and freshman Zach Medendorp followed with 12 points apiece while senior Collin Hewitt added 10.
Prather helped propel the Cougars out to an early 10-2 lead with six quick points, but the Crusaders settled in and responded with a 14-6 run to even the score at 16-16 at the 11:59 mark. However, a pair of free throws from senior Tyler Hughes would begin a 10-0 run, highlighted by six points from Starks, and SAU would not look back.
A bucket by Starks with 1:25 remaining in the half extended the Cougar lead to 14, but GLCC would bank in a three-pointer at the buzzer to narrow the gap to 11, 45-34, at the break.
Great Lakes Christian cut the deficit to eight early in the second half, but an 8-2 spurt by the Cougars pushed the lead back to 14, 54-40, with 14:17 to play. Spring Arbor would maintain a comfortable cushion the rest of the way – leading by as many as 21 – en route to the season opening victory.
The Cougars shot 53 percent from the field while holding the Crusaders to just 36 percent. Spring Arbor also dominated the glass, outrebounding GLCC 47-18 - registering 27 second-chance points - and outscoring the home team 58-16 in the paint.
Junior Peter Barry chipped in eight points and freshman Drew Zuidema finished with five points and five rebounds in his collegiate debut. In addition to his 12 points, Prather grabbed nine boards and dished out seven assists. Sophomore Caleb Hogans had six rebounds, six assists and six steals.
Spring Arbor (1-0) returns to action when they host Lourdes University (0-0) in the team's home opener on Saturday, Nov. 1 at 3 p.m.
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