SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – Sophomore Paul Marandet scored a game-high 25 points but it was not enough as Taylor University escaped the SAU Fieldhouse with a 74-67 win over No. 14 ranked Spring Arbor University on Tuesday night.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: #14 Spring Arbor 67, Taylor 74
LOCATION: SAU Fieldhouse | Spring Arbor, Mich.
RECORDS: Spring Arbor 18-5 (6-5 CL), Taylor 13-10 (4-7 CL)
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After trailing for most of the night, Spring Arbor used a 10-2 run, highlighted by an AJ Crawford three-pointer, midway through the second half to grab a 49-48 lead – its first lead since the game's opening minutes.
- The upset-minded Trojans refused to back down. Taylor responded to every blow the Cougars landed, and a late push was enough to allow the visitors to escape with a win.
- With the score tied, 60-60, at the 2:17 mark, Taylor's Evan Crowe was fouled as he knocked down a go-ahead three and hit the free throw to convert a four-point play. The Trojans would also score on their next three possessions, including a pair of triples, to put the contest out of reach.
FOR THE COUGARS
- Marandet finished with 25 points, including 15 in the second half.
- Tommy Hamilton followed with 12 points and two steals. Zach Medendorp, Jeff Beckman and Crawford all chipped in seven points apiece while Beckman hauled in a game-high 12 rebounds.
- Spring Arbor shot 43 percent (21-for-49) from the field, but was just 4-for-14 from three-point range. The Cougars were also 21-for-31 from the free throw line.
- SAU outscored Taylor on points in the paint, 32-20.
FOR THE TROJANS
- Taylor had a well-balanced attack with five players reaching double figures. Evan Crowe finished with 20 points and Mason Degenkolb posted 18.
- The Trojans used a barrage of three-pointers to defeat the Cougars. Taylor buried 11 shots from behind the arc, including seven in the second half.
- Taylor shot 44 percent (27-for-61) on the night.
UP NEXT
Spring Arbor will look to bounce back on Saturday, Jan. 27 when it travels to Huntington, Indiana to take on the Huntington University Foresters (9-14, 5-6 CL) starting at 3 p.m.
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