LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Spalding University men's basketball team lost a close game to Fontbonne, 64-61, Wednesday night at Derek Smith Gymnasium bringing the Golden Eagles record to 1-14 overall and 0-7 in SLIAC play.
 
Senior James Turner scored 27 points going 9-for-9 from the free-throw line to lead the Golden Eagles. Senior Nick Trisko also contributed 17 points and 12 rebounds, notching his 10^th double-double on the season, which ranks 6^th in NCAA Division III.   
 
The Golden Eagles got off to a slow start, and Fontbonne held the momentum for most of the first half racing out to a 23-4 lead. James Turner scored 15 points helping the Golden Eagles cut the Griffins lead to 14 points before half, trailing 38-24. Field goal percentage was a big factor in the first half for the Golden Eagles only shooting 23% from the field, while Fontbonne connected at a 55.6% clip.
 
Spalding fought their way back into the game reeling off a 12-0 run in the first 4:31 of the second half cutting the deficit to two points at 38-36, forcing a Griffins timeout. After coming back, the Golden Eagles traded baskets with Fontbonne for the next couple minutes before finally taking their first lead of the game, 45-44, with 10:25 left in the game. The Golden Eagles led for the next eight minutes trading baskets back and forth with Fontbonne until a three-pointer by Fontbonne's Tyler Schwartz put the Griffins back in front, 58-57, with 1:25 to go. On their next possession, Spalding answered with a layup by Will Rainey to forge ahead, 59-58, but a James Wiggins layup put the Griffins back in front with 1:15 left to play and Fontbonne would hang on for the victory.
 
Next, the Golden Eagles will face Blackburn College on Saturday, January 14. Tipoff is slated for 3:00 pm EST at Derek Smith Gymnasium.