SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – The Spring Arbor University men's basketball team looked to make it two in a row on Wednesday night as they hosted the Saints of Siena Heights University. Sophomore guard Tommy Hamilton stole the show as he went 5-for-5 from three-point land and posted a game-high 17 points to lead SAU to a 68-65 victory.

THE BASICS

FINAL SCORE: Spring Arbor 68, Siena Heights 65

LOCATION: SAU Fieldhouse | Spring Arbor, Mich.

RECORDS: Spring Arbor 3-2, Siena Heights 2-1

HOW IT HAPPENED

• A well-played first half from both sides saw three ties and two lead changes in the first 20 minutes. Neither team led by more than five as the game would be tightly contested throughout.
• The Cougars saw nine players score in the first half. However, Siena Heights held the slight edge as they headed into the break up 34-32.
• The second half proved to be as exciting as the first. The two sides had seven ties and five lead changes. The first lead change coming just 90 seconds into the half as Hamilton buried his first of four 3-pointers in the second stanza.
• Hamilton caught fire in the second half scoring 14 of his game-high 17. He was 5-for-6 shooting in the half and a perfect 4-for-4 from behind the arc.
• Hamilton was helped out in the scoring department from senior forward Thomas Starks and freshman floor general Paul Marandet, who both ended the night in double figures with 10 apiece.
• Hamilton's huge night was enough to keep the Cougars in the game, but it was senior Caleb Hogans who hit the big triple with 2:22 left to break the 64-64 tie and put the Cougars up for good. 
• The sides would trade a free throw each over the final two minutes of the game. Then the Cougars would come up with a huge defensive stand as time expired to hold on 68-65.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE

• Spring Arbor had all nine guys that saw the floor score a bucket, led by Hamilton who was one of three in double figures.
• The Cougars got drilled on the glass as Siena Heights out-rebounded the home team 43-27.
• The difference, however, was in the turnover margin as the Cougars were +7 winning the battle 20-13.

FOR THE FOES

• The Saints had four players in double figures led by forward Christopher Pearl who had 15.
• Jerrell Martin dropped a double-double for the Saints as he posted 13 points and 12 rebounds.
• Siena Heights loses their first game of the season to move to 2-1.

UP NEXT

Spring Arbor travels to the University of Michigan-Dearborn on Saturday, Nov. 12 for a 3 p.m. tip. 

Men's Basketball Contact: Chris Bauman | 517-750-6504 | christopher.bauman@arbor.edu
SAU Athletics: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube
Men's Basketball: Twitter | Facebook