SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – The Spring Arbor University men's basketball team came away with a hard-fought 69-64 victory over a tough Trinity Christian College squad on Saturday inside the SAU Fieldhouse.
Junior Greg Hamilton scored a season-high 17 points, including 10 in the second half, to lead the way for the Cougars while freshman Zach Medendorp finished with 11 points going a perfect 5-for-5 from the field.
The two teams traded the lead six times through the first eight minutes before a 13-5 run, highlighted by seven straight points from sophomore Thomas Starks, gave the Cougars their largest lead of the game, 25-17, with 6:21 left in the opening half.
Trinity Christian (5-8), despite shooting just 33 percent (10-for-30), including 3-for-15 on attempts from behind the arc, was able to trim the deficit to three, 32-29, just before halftime.
The Trolls found their stroke, however, in the second half, opening the period with a barrage of three's to quickly jump in front 42-35 at the 16:52 mark.
The Cougars weathered the storm, though, and after a bucket by Hamilton, sophomore Caleb Hogans buried back-to-back triples to put SAU back on top 43-42. The teams would go back and forth, trading baskets, battling to 48-48 before a put-back from Medendorp sparked a 9-0 run capped by a jumper from junior Peter Barry with just under five minutes remaining.
The Trolls, who entered the game as one of the NAIA's top three-pointing shooting teams, answered the run with another trey to keep their hopes alive. However, Spring Arbor would capitalize on its opportunities at the charity stripe down the stretch, sinking all 12 of its free throws to seal the win.
Even though Trinity Christian connected on nine three-pointers in the second half, the Cougars forced the visitors into 11 turnovers – which they converted into 13 points – and controlled the glass, outrebounding TCC 35-27 on the afternoon.
Starks chipped in nine points, six rebounds and five assists while Hogans added eight points and five steals. Senior Collin Hewitt and Barry followed with seven points apiece.
Spring Arbor (9-3) returns to action on Tuesday, Dec. 16 against local rival Albion College (4-2) at 7 p.m. The Cougars will be partnering with the Parma Lions Club to host a Food Drive. Fans are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items for Christmas baskets given to local families during the holiday season.
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