ADRIAN, Mich. – The No. 9 ranked Spring Arbor University men's basketball team suffered a 77-74 loss at Siena Heights University in non-conference action on Saturday.
The Cougars trailed by as many as 16 in the second half before rallying back to close the gap to one with less than a minute remaining. However, the Saints would make a pair of free throws in the closing seconds to hold off SAU's late charge.
THE BASICS
SCORE: No. 9 Spring Arbor 74, Siena Heights 77
LOCATION: SHU Fieldhouse | Adrian, Mich.
RECORDS: Spring Arbor 14-3, Siena Heights 9-6
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Siena Heights held a slim three point lead, 48-45, over the No. 9 ranked Cougars at the 16:42 mark of the second half. But, SAU would suffer a three-minute dry spell and the home team capitalized with a quick 13-0 run.
- Spring Arbor worked at chipping away at the deficit the rest of the way. The Cougars got within four, 67-63, with 5:31 left to play, but Siena Heights answered with four unanswered points to push the margin back to eight.
- Trailing by four with 23 seconds remaining, Luke Barber buried one of his six three-pointers on the day to trim the deficit to one, 75-74. After an SHU free throw, Spring Arbor had a chance at a potential game-tying shot, but Brandon Durnell's shot came up empty.
FOR THE COUGARS
- Barber posted 20 points going 7-for-11 from the field, including 6-for-9 from long range – matching his career-high for three's made. Paul Marandet also had 20 points with three assists.
- Durnell and Tom Hamilton also scored in double figures. Durnell finished with 14 points and four rebounds while Hamilton added 12 points.
- Spring Arbor connected on 46 percent (25-for-54) of its field goal attempts and was 15-for-16 from the free throw line.
FOR THE SAINTS
- Siena Heights was led by DeMarco Dickerson, who had 19 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Three other Saints also reached double figures in scoring.
- SHU shot 47 percent (28-for-59) and made 11 three's – the most by opponent against Spring Arbor this season.
- Siena Heights' bench outscored SAU's 19-2.
UP NEXT
Spring Arbor will return to Crossroads League play with a trip to Huntington University (12-5, 2-3 CL) on Saturday, Jan. 5.
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