LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Spalding University men's basketball team defeated Principia College, 65-46, Tuesday night in Derek Smith Gymnasium. With the win, Spalding improves to 10-12 overall and 8-7 in the SLIAC. The loss drops Principia to a 3-17 overall record and a 0-15 mark in conference.
 
Freshman Rylan Rowe led the team in scoring with 17 points. Brandon Goeing followed close behind with 15, while Nick Trisko delivered a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
 
Goeing got Spalding on the board after Principia took an early lead by knocking down a three with defense in his face. Goeing would answer another Principia basket with a three to give Spalding a 6-4 lead with three and a half minutes gone in the first half. A 6-0 run by Principia over the next four minutes gave the Panthers a 10-6 lead. Three's by James Turner and Rowe would encompass an 8-0 run that saw Spalding regain the lead at 14-10. With just over nine minutes left in the half, Principia would tie the game back up at 16. From that point, Spalding would erupt with a 15-0 run, including two three-point field goals by Turner to give Spalding a 31-16 lead. Principia would close the half out on a 5-0 run to bring the score to 31-21 in favor of Spalding at the break.
 
Principia would start the scoring in the second half, but Spalding would answer with a 7-0 run and hold a 38-23 lead with just under four minutes gone in the second half. An explosive 14-2 run by the Golden Eagles including 10 points from Rowe, would extend their lead to 24 with just over eight minutes remaining in the game. The teams would trade baskets as the seconds ticked away and the Golden Eagles inched closer to victory. Principia would finish the game on an 8-4 run, but Spalding would come away with the victory, 65-46.
 
Spalding will be back in action this Saturday, February 13^th to take on MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Ill. Tip is set for 4 pm EST.