SPRING ARBOR, MI. – Riding a 7 game winning streak, the Spring Arbor Men's Basketball team returned home to American 1 Credit Union Arena for their first big test of the Crossroads League slate against defending league champ Grace.
 
Both teams started slow, with the Cougars going up 4-0 early, before Grace responded with 5 straight to take the lead. That lead would be short lived for the Lancers however, as a Gabe Newhof bucket gave Spring Arbor the lead right back. The Cougars would not relinquish for the rest of the half, resulting in a 7 point lead at the break, 42-35.  Newhof led the Cougars with 14 points in the half, while Freshman David Cundiff stepped up in a big way in place of injured starting guard Travis Grayson, with 13 points and 4 assists at the break. 
 
The second half was similar to the first, as Grace would threaten the lead throughout the stanza, trimming the deficit to as low as two, but that was as close as they would get. The Cougars would extend their lead to double digits in the last five minutes, as Grace couldn't muster up a late rally, and the Cougars coasted to a massive early season win, 76-61. 
 
SCORE: Spring Arbor 76, Grace 61
LOCATION: Spring Arbor, MI | American 1 Credit Union Arena
RECORDS: Spring Arbor 9-1, 3-0 Grace 7-3, 2-1
 
 
GAME HIGHLIGHTS

• Gabe Newhof showed up in a huge way, leading the Cougars with his second 30 point game of the season. Newhof also recorded 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and a block. 
• Joining Newhof in double figures was David Cundiff, who made his presence known all over the court in his second career start, with 15 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals and a block. 
• Other key contributors were Dante Favor and Kevyn Robertson, who each chipped in 9 points apiece. Favor also contributed 7 boards and 2 assists, while Robertson added 6 boards and 2 steals. 
• The leading scorer for Grace was Gage Sefton, who had 18 points on 4 of 9 shooting, while also going a perfect 10 for 10 from the charity stripe.

TEAM STATS:
Points off Turnovers: Grace 14, Spring Arbor 10
2^nd Chance Points: Grace 7, Spring Arbor 13
Bench Points: Grace 5, Spring Arbor 7
Points in Paint: Grace 34, Spring Arbor 46
 
 
 
Next Up: 
The Cougars will travel to Marion, IN for another ranked league matchup against 13^th ranked Indiana Wesleyan on Saturday, December 7^th. Tip-off will be at 6:00 PM.