CARLINVILLE, Ill. – The Spalding University men's basketball team would watch as an eight point halftime lead would evaporate and their three game win streak come to an end in a 67-64 defeat at the hands of Blackburn. The loss drops Spalding to 7-9 overall and 5-4 in SLIAC play. Blackburn would improve to 5-11 overall and 4-5 in the conference.
 
Brandon Goeing would lead Spalding scorers with 17 points including three of seven from beyond the arc. James Turner would add 12 points and Junior Nick Trisko would chip in eight points to go along with his five rebounds.
 
The first half would start fairly evenly as Trisko would give Spalding their first lead at 4-2 early on. A quick 4-0 run by Blackburn would see Spalding relinquish their lead before Goeing would snatch it right back with a three-point field goal to make the score 7-6. Blackburn would come out ahead during a stretch of trading baskets with 6-2 advantage and a 12-9 lead on the scoreboard. Victor Crosby would play catalyst to a 19-4 Spalding run including a rare three-point field goal by Crosby to bring the score to 28-16. A 10-2 run by Blackburn at the hands of four Spalding turnovers would cut their lead down to four with just under a minute to play. A good showing from the free throw line would help the Golden Eagles take a 36-28 lead into the locker room.
 
Unfortunately, the second half would tell a different story. Blackburn would come out of the halftime break firing on all cylinders with 10-1 run to give the Beavers a one point lead. A 5-0 run midway through the second by Blackburn would give them a 48-43 lead and Spalding's confidence would begin to waver. Goeing would try to quell the attack with a three-point jump shot, but Dillion Hensley would answer right back with a three of his own. Spalding's woes would continue as a 7-1 run pushed the Blackburn lead to eight with just over six minutes remaining in the game. The Golden Eagles would try to claw their way back into the game by rattling off a 6-1 run capped off by Terez Smith's jumper to cut the lead down to three. With under a minute remaining, James Turner would get a layup bringing the lead down to one, but Blackburn would answer right back and the score line would read 64-61 Blackburn. Spalding was trailing 66-61 after Blackburn converted at the free throw line, but another three-pointer by Goeing would offer a glimmer of hope as the lead was cut to two with only seconds remaining. It would not be enough in the end however, as Blackburn would knock down one of their free throws and a heave at the buzzer would bounce off the speaker.
 
Spalding will look to get back to their winning ways this Saturday, January 23^rd in Fulton, Mo. when they take on Westminster at 4 pm EST.