WINONA LAKE, Ind. – The Spring Arbor University men's basketball team went toe-to-toe with top-ranked Grace College on the road Wednesday evening, but the Cougars came up just short in a 79-73 loss.
 
Spring Arbor trailed by as many as 14 points in the second half before mounting a determined comeback. The Cougars erased the deficit and briefly grabbed a three-point lead with six minutes remaining, putting pressure on the No. 1 ranked Lancers down the stretch.
 
Grace was able to respond and regain the lead, but Spring Arbor stayed within striking distance in the final minutes. A 3-pointer from David Cundiff pulled the Cougars within two, 75-73, with 1:24 remaining. The Lancers answered with a key basket in the final minute to push the margin back to four and then sealed the contest at the free throw line.
 
Dante Favor led Spring Arbor with a team-high 18 points while filling the stat sheet with seven rebounds, four assists and four blocks. Cundiff finished with 12 points, and Travis Grayson and Brandon Trilli each added 11.
 
Spring Arbor returns home on Saturday, Feb. 7 for another marquee matchup, hosting No. 5 Indiana Wesleyan University at 3 p.m.