ST. LOUIS, Mo.– The Spalding University men's basketball team fell to Fontbonne University, 77-71, Saturday afternoon in St. Louis, Mo. The loss brings the Golden Eagles record to 4-20 overall and 3-13 in SLIAC play.
Three players were in double-digits for the Golden Eagles. Senior
James Turner led the team scoring 20 points, shooting an impressive 8-of-12 from the field. Sophomore
Rylan Rowe contributed 19 points hitting 3-of-5 three-pointers. While senior
Nick Trisko was two rebounds shy from another double-double, scoring 18 points and pulling down eight boards in only 25 minutes of action.
Fontbonne opened the game on a 4-0 run in the first 49 seconds of action. SU responded quickly with a 11-3 run, and with five early points from
Rylan Rowe the Golden Eagles took the lead 11-7 with 13:46 to play in the first half. Fontbonne gradually cut into Spalding lead over the next 8:56 of play, before a three-pointer by Orikan Bakis gave the Griffins the lead back, 21-19. Spalding was unable to cut into the lead over the last 4:50 of play allowing Fontbonne to extend their lead to five points, leading 31-26 at halftime.
Spalding came out strong in the second half, outscoring Fontbonne 8-3 in the first 2:36 of play, regaining the lead, 34-33. Spalding was able to expand their lead to three points before four unanswered points by Fontbonne gave the Griffins the lead right back, 37-36, with 16:09 left to play. After small runs on both sides the Golden Eagles tied the game at 40-40, thanks to a steal by
Owen Mumphrey, who then assisted on a layup by
Rylan Rowe. Spalding continued to play hard taking their biggest lead of the game at six, 52-46, with 9:51 left to play. Turnovers hurt the Golden Eagles momentum allowing Fontbonne to go on a 7-0 run in a 1:46 span to go up, 53-52. Answering, Spalding got back on top with a Trisko layup, but a foul on a three-point shot sent Orkan Bakis to the line where he hit all three and gave the Griffins a 56-54 lead with 7:34 left in the second half. Spalding wasn't able to regain any kind of momentum after the foul; letting the Griffins go on to win 77-71.
Up next, Spalding travels to Carlinville, Il. February 15 for their final away game of the season taking on SLIAC opponent Blackburn College. Tipoff is slated for 9:00 pm EST.
