SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – After suffering a close loss at Taylor University in the first matchup this season, the Spring Arbor University men's basketball team returned the favor on Saturday, defeating the Trojans 70-68.
With the Cougars holding a one point lead in the closing seconds, senior Tyler Hughes rejected Taylor's potential game-winning shot and sophomore Caleb Hogans came up with the rebound to secure the victory.
Freshman Zach Medendorp scored 18 points and Hogans recorded the first double-double of his career to lead the way. Hogans finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds – both career-highs – while dishing out seven assists and coming up with three steals. Hughes followed with 13 points and three rebounds.
The Cougars came charging out the gates to begin the game, jumping out to an 11-3 lead in the first five minutes behind six points from Medendorp. The Trojans responded, though, hitting a pair of three-pointers as part of a 9-0 run to jump in front.
Taylor (11-15, 2-12 Crossroads League) would continue to be effective from long range, hitting nine first half three's, including a perfect 5-for-5 from Jesse Coffey, to take a 45-35 advantage into the locker room.
However, Spring Arbor answered immediately in the second half, opening the period with a 12-2 run – capped with back-to-back triples from Hughes and Hogans to put the Cougars back on top for the first time since the 11:58 mark in the first half.
After its red-hot shooting in the first half, the Trojans were shut down by the SAU defense in the second stanza and were limited to just two field goals through the first ten minutes. Meanwhile, the Cougars had built an eight point lead, 57-49.
Taylor refused to go away, though, and battled back to tie the score 68-68 with 1:20 remaining. Senior Collin Hewitt gave the Cougars a one point edge after a free throw, setting the stage for the team's huge defensive stand. Junior Greg Hamilton would sink another free throw with under a second to play before intentionally missing the second to clinch the win.
Spring Arbor finished the afternoon hitting 51 percent of its shots (24-for-47). After shooting at a 59 percent (16-for-27) clip in the first half, Taylor was held to 28 percent (7-for-25) over the final 20 minutes. The Cougars also outscored the Trojans in the paint 26-18.
Hamilton added eight points and a career-best nine rebounds while Hewitt and Jimmy Kodet chipped in five points apiece.
Up next, Spring Arbor (12-14, 3-11 Crossroads League) will host No. 13 University of Saint Francis on Tuesday, Feb. 10 at 7 p.m.
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