SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – Behind a 7-of-9 performance from three-point range from senior Drew Zuidema, the No. 21 ranked Spring Arbor University men's basketball team secured an 84-77 win over Mount Vernon Nazarene University.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: #21 Spring Arbor 84, Mount Vernon Nazarene 77
LOCATION: SAU Fieldhouse | Spring Arbor, Mich.
RECORDS: Spring Arbor 11-2 (2-2 CL), Mount Vernon Nazarene 7-4 (2-2 CL)
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Fresh off an upset victory over No. 12 Taylor University, Mount Vernon Nazarene looked to knock off a second straight Top 25 opponent, racing out to a 25-16 lead 10 minutes into the contest.
- After falling behind early, Zach Medendorp and Zuidema brought the Cougars back, fueling a 12-3 run to even the score 28-28 at the 7:56 mark.
- Spring Arbor ended the first half on another lengthy run, outscoring MVNU 10-2 over the final three minutes to take a 46-39 lead into the break.
- SAU was red-hot from the field in the first half connecting on 72 percent (18-for-25) of its field goal attempts.
- Mount Vernon Nazarene came out of halftime strong and tied the score, 48-48, but Spring Arbor responded scoring 13 of the next 15 points to regain control. Zuidema ignited the run with a deep three while Paul Marandet poured in seven over the five minute span.
- Spring Arbor led by 10 with 47 seconds to play, but MVNU recorded seven quick points to trim the deficit to three, 80-77, with 16 ticks left on the clock.
- A huge steal from Jeff Beckman on the defensive end in the closing helped seal the win while Marandet went a perfect 4-for-4 from the free throw line.
FOR SPRING ARBOR
- Zuidema matched his career-high with 23 points going 8-for-10 from the field, including 7-for-9 from behind the arc.
- Marandet also finished with 23 points, going 7-for-10 shooting, with five assists and four rebounds while Medendorp added 20 points and two blocks.
- Beckman hauled in a game-high 10 rebounds and dished out three assists.
- Spring Arbor shot 60 percent (29-for-48) on the evening, including 9-for-15 from the three-point line.
FOR MOUNT VERNON NAZARENE
- Three MVNU players ended the game in double figures. Jevon Knox posted 15 points while Jordi Mas and Brett Vipperman finished with 13 and 12, respectively.
- MVNU shot 48 percent (29-for-60) from the floor.
- The visitors out-rebounded SAU 31-27.
UP NEXT
Spring Arbor travels to local rival Albion College (1-4) on Saturday, Dec. 9. Game time is set for 5 p.m.