The Aurora University men's basketball team hosted Lakeland University for a Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference contest. The Spartans had to play come back basketball, trailing by 24 points at halftime to come back in the second half and win in overtime 97-92.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Aurora University 97, Lakeland University 92 (overtime)
LOCATION: Thornton Gymnasium - Aurora, Illinois
RECORDS: Aurora University 7-3 overall and 3-1 in the NACC; Lakeland University 6-3 overall and 1-2 in the NACC
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Trey Jenkins got the Spartans on the scoreboard by draining the midrange jumper for a 2-0 lead
- With 16:20 to go in the first-half, Noah Butler passed to Michael Osborne for the layup and AU led 11-9.
- A Lakeland 25-1 run over the next 9:05 found the Spartans down 34-12 with 7:15 to play in the opening half.
- Three straight baskets from Julian Gatewood brought AU to within 14 at 34-20.
- The deficit for the Spartans would grow back to 24 at 55-31 heading to halftime.
- The Spartans defensive intensity was apparent coming out of the halftime break and with a Nolan Boffman layup 4:55 into the second, AU was within 14 at 59-45.
- AU continued to chip away at the Lakeland lead and got the deficit under double digits for the first time at 68-59 with 9:53 to play following a Justin Wilson basket.
- The Spartans traded baskets with the Lakeland lead hanging around 10 which was the score 82-72 with 4:27 to play.
- A Michael Osborne put back of his own shot and the Spartans were within five points, 82-77.
- Justin Wilson made a driving reverse layup, followed by a steal and a three-pointer by Trey Jenkins and the game was tied at 82-82.
- The Spartans got a huge stop in the final seconds with a blocked shot from Noah Butler to keep the game tied.
- AU finished the second on a 10-0 run to send the game to overtime.
- In overtime, Julian Gatewood and Noah Butler made their way to the free-throw line to give the Spartans an 85-82 lead.
- Noah Butler connected on a driving layup plus the foul to give the Spartans a 88-85 cushion with 3:35 left in overtime.
- With the game tied 88-88, Nolan Boffman made three consecutive acrobatic layup to give the Spartans a 94-90 lead with 32 seconds left.
- After a Lakeland jumper, Noah Butler made one out of two free throws to give the Spartans a 95-92 lead.
- The Spartans got a defensive stop with Nolan Boffman getting fouled after the Muskie miss and makes both free throws. The Spartans led 97-92.
- AU celebrated with an enormous come back, winning 97-92.
SPARTAN LEASDERS
Points: Julian Gatewood (22), Noah Butler (19), Nolan Boffman (17) and Michael Osborne (15)
Assists: Michael Osborne (3) Julian Gatewood, Tre Hamilton, and Noah Butler (2)
Rebounds: Noah Butler (8)
Steals: Noah Butler and Michael Osborne (2)
UP NEXT
Next action for the Spartan men's basketball team comes on Saturday, December 17 when they travel to Wisconsin Lutheran College. Opening tip-off is slated for 2:00 p.m. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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