LAKE WINONA, IN – Rob Hogans finished his career hitting a 3-pointer at the buzzer and the scoreboard showed 68-67. Unfortunately for Hogans and the Spring Arbor University Cougars, Grace College had the upper hand on the scoreboard and will advance to the Crossroads League finals next week, the Cougars season is over.
The Lancer jumped all over the Cougars right from the tip as Grace scored the first 14 points of the game before Greg Hamilton ended the drought with a basket plus a free throw after four minutes of play. Spring Arbor made a steady comeback and by halftime they were down by just six points, 24-30.
Much like Tuesday night's game against St. Francis, Hogans didn't hit his stride in the first half, scoring seven points against the Lancer defense. Hogans heated up in the second half scoring 21 of his game high 28 points and the Cougars whittled away at Grace's lead but could never take the lead themselves, falling just one point short.
The Lancers made five of their last six free throws as Spring Arbor did everything they could to get back in the game. With 18 seconds left, Greg Hamilton scored to cut the lead to 64-62 and then Spring Arbor made a quick foul sending the Lancer to the line for two shots. Grace made both for a four point gap and Xavier Prather score just seconds later to cut the lead again to just two points with six seconds on the clock.
After another quick foul, Grace's Greg Miller made both of what would turn out to be the winning free throws with four seconds left and an inbounds pass to Hogans set up his last college basketball shot, which found bottom and the score of 67-68, Grace.
The 28 points by Hogans completes a spectacular career at any level of college basketball in which he scored 2,077 points over four years and 132 games. The point total is the fifth highest ever by a Cougar in men's basketball. Hogans passed Rocky Kent (67') with his first basket of the day, and finished five points shy of sharp shooter, Jim Linhart (96') who is fourth with 2,082 points.
Prather finished the game with 15 points and Greg Hamilton added 13 to the books for Spring Arbor. Along with his 28 points, Hogans led the Cougars with seven rebounds.
Grace will advance to face Bethel in the Crossroads League final on Tuesday night in Mishawaka, IN. Bethel upset the #1 seed and NAIA #4 Indiana Wesleyan University 102-95 in overtime to punch their ticket to the finals.
Spring Arbor completes their season with 12-20 record
