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73
Marian (Ind.) MAR 7-5, 0-3 CL
85
Winner Spring Arbor (Mich.) SAU 5-5, 1-2 CL
Marian (Ind.) MAR
7-5, 0-3 CL
73
Final
85
Spring Arbor (Mich.) SAU
5-5, 1-2 CL
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Marian (Ind.) MAR 39 34 73
Spring Arbor (Mich.) SAU 41 44 85

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Cougars' strong second half leads to first conference win

SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – The Spring Arbor University men's basketball team earned its first Crossroads League win of the season defeating Marian University 85-73 on Saturday.

 
 

THE BASICS

FINAL SCORE: Spring Arbor 85, Marian 73

LOCATION: SAU Fieldhouse | Spring Arbor, Mich.

RECORDS: Spring Arbor 5-5 (1-2 CL), Marian 7-5 (0-3 CL)

 
 

HOW IT HAPPENED

  • The Cougars came out red hot opening the game on an 11-2 run before forcing Marian to call a quick timeout. The timeout sparked the Knights offense as they proceeded to hit eight of their next 10 three-pointers to take the lead 32-29.
  • Both teams would exchange buckets in the last five minutes of the half and Spring Arbor would head to the break up 41-39 following a pair of late free throws from Zach Medendorp.
  • The second half started and the Cougars nationally ranked defense settled in and ruined any hopes of a road victory for the Knights. Spring Arbor held Marian to 30 percent shooting in the second half and dominated the boards winning the rebound margin 31-19 in the frame.
  • Spring Arbor opened up a 21 point lead behind the hot hand of Drew Zuidema who provided 10 quick points off the bench and hit his second triple of the game giving the Cougars a 77-56 lead with 7:02 remaining.
  • The Cougars would give up a couple easy buckets late, but the outcome was never in doubt as Spring Arbor notched its first conference victory of the season 85-73.

 
 

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE

  • The Cougars out-rebounded the Knights 45-37 but, more impressively, 31-19 in the second half.
  • Spring Arbor had four players in double figures led by Thomas Starks, who was a stat stuffer this afternoon, with 18 points, nine boards, four blocks and two assists. Medendorp followed with 17 points while Caleb Hogans, who surpassed 1,000 career points earlier in the week, added 14.
  • After Marian started the game shooting 47 percent in the first half, the Cougars put the clamps down holding them to 30 percent in the second half and forcing 12 turnovers on the afternoon.

 
 

FOR THE KNIGHTS

  • Wesley Stowers led the attack for the Knights scoring 26 on an 8-for-16 shooting night and 4-for-6 from deep. Sam Guymon was the only other Knight in double figures with 13 points.
  • Marian's last led with 1:00 remaining in the first half. Then, the Knights allowed a 12-2 run early in the second frame that blew this one open.
  • Marian falls to 0-3 in conference play and it does not get any easier as they host the reigning national champions Indiana Wesleyan University next.

 
 

UP NEXT

Spring Arbor will hit the road as they travel to Ohio to face off with Mount Vernon Nazarene University on Tuesday, Dec. 6. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.

 
 
 
 

Men's Basketball Contact: Chris Bauman | 517-750-6504 | christopher.bauman@arbor.edu
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