SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – The Spring Arbor University men's basketball team used a fast start to set the tone in an 83-71 home win over Mount Vernon Nazarene University on Saturday afternoon.
 
The win improves the Cougars to 12-10 overall and 5-7 in Crossroads League play, putting them in sixth place in the conference standings with three weeks to go in the regular season.
 
Spring Arbor raced out to a 26-8 lead over the first 10 minutes of the contest and continued to build separation throughout the opening half. The Cougars extended the margin to as many as 25 points before carrying a 46-27 advantage into the intermission.
 
Mount Vernon Nazarene attempted to claw back in the second half, trimming the deficit to 12, 75-63, with five minutes remaining. Spring Arbor, however, remained composed down the stretch and closed out the victory.
 
Travis Grayson followed up his 26-point performance against Marian earlier in the week with a game-high 27 points while also dishing out eight assists. Dante Favor added 23 points and nine rebounds.
 
As a team, Spring Arbor shot 52 percent from the field, knocked down 10 3-pointers, and dominated the paint with a 48-24 scoring advantage.
 
Spring Arbor will hit the road next, traveling to No. 1 Grace College on Wednesday, Feb. 4, with tipoff set for 7:30 p.m.