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86
Marian (Ind.) MAR 8-2, 1-2 CL
89
Winner Spring Arbor (Mich.) SAU 11-2, 3-1 CL
Marian (Ind.) MAR
8-2, 1-2 CL
86
Final
89
Spring Arbor (Mich.) SAU
11-2, 3-1 CL
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 OT 1 F
Marian (Ind.) MAR 36 36 14 86
Spring Arbor (Mich.) SAU 33 39 17 89

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

No. 23 Men's Basketball knocks off No. 5 Marian in OT thriller

SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – The No. 23 ranked Spring Arbor University men's basketball team overcame a double-digit second half deficit to earn a thrilling 89-86 overtime win over No. 5 Marian University on Tuesday night inside the McDonald Athletic Center.

Brandon Durnell dropped a team-high 24 points and Paul Marandet recorded a double-double with 20 points and 10 assists to lead the Cougars to their second win over a Top 25 ranked team in as many weeks.

 
 

THE BASICS

FINAL SCORE: No. 23 Spring Arbor 89, No. 5 Marian 86

LOCATION: McDonald Athletic Center | Spring Arbor, Mich.

RECORDS: Spring Arbor 11-2 (3-1 CL), Marian 8-2 (1-2 CL)

 
 

HOW IT HAPPENED

  • After seeing its nine-game win streak snapped over the weekend, Spring Arbor looked to bounce back against No. 5 Marian.
  • The Cougars got the start they were looking for, opening a 9-0 lead to begin the game.
  • SAU maintained the lead throughout most of the first half, but the Knights continued to fight their way back and would grab a 36-33 advantage heading into halftime.
  • Marian carried that momentum into the early stages of the second half, using an 8-0 run in the first two minutes to expand the margin to 11, 44-33.
  • Spring Arbor came storming back, however, behind a 13-2 scoring spurt – fueled by 10 straight points from Durnell and capped by a go-ahead three-pointer from Nick Welch.
  • The score remained close going into the closing seconds. Spring Arbor led by three, 71-68, with 15 seconds remaining in regulation, but four straight free throws from MU's TJ Henderson put the visitors up by one. In the final seconds, Marandet drive through the lane for a potential game-winning lay-up, but was fouled with 0.4 seconds left. He would make one of his two free throw attempts to send the game into overtime.
  • With the score tied 81-81 in the extra period, the Cougars took the lead for good following baskets from Durnell and Marandet. Tom Hamilton secured the win with two late free throws.
  • The game featured nine ties and 14 lead changes.

 
 

FOR THE COUGARS

  • Fresh off scoring a career-high 26 points against Taylor, Durnell poured in 24 against Marian while also adding seven rebounds.
  • Marandet registered his third double-double of the season with 20 points and 10 assists.
  • Hamilton finished with 15 points and Jeff Beckman added 11 to go along with five rebounds and four assists.
  • Spring Arbor had one of its best shooting nights of the season, connecting on 62 percent (33-for-53) of its field goal attempts, including going 9-for-20 from three-point range.
  • The Cougars' 89 points were the most scored against Marian, which boasts the league's best scoring defense, all season.
  • SAU outscored the Knights 36-22 in the paint.

 
 

FOR THE KNIGHTS

  • Wes Stowers and Henderson, two of the league's top scorers, paced Marian with 26 and 24 points, respectively. Reggie Kissoonlal also posted a double-double with 15 points and 11 boards.
  • Marian, the league's top scoring team, shot 45 percent (29-for-64) from the field, including 8-for-28 from long range.

 
 

UP NEXT

Spring Arbor hosts No. 1 Indiana Wesleyan University (11-2, 3-1 CL) on Saturday, Dec. 8 at 3 p.m. The Cougars are partnering with the Parma-Spring Arbor Lions Club to host a food drive for families this holiday season. Fans are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item as admission to the game.

 
 

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