CARLINVILLE, Ill.– The Spalding University men's basketball team won their last away game of the season against Blackburn College, 61-59, Wednesday night. The win improves the Golden Eagles record to 5-20 overall and 4-13 in SLIAC play.
Four players scored in double-digits for SU, scoring 46 of the teams 61 points. Sophomore
Rylan Rowe led the Golden Eagles tallying 15 points; junior
Owen Mumphrey contributed 11 points shooting 5-6 from the field. Both seniors
James Turner and
Nick Trisko scored 10 points each with Nick notching his 18
th double-double of the season collecting in 11 rebounds.
Spalding started the game sluggish with Blackburn opening on an 11-0 run in the first 2:36 of action. The Golden Eagles responded with a 16-9 run of their own and six straight points by
Owen Mumphrey over the next 6:55 cutting into Blackburn lead, 20-16. After trading baskets back and forth Spalding went on a 6-0 run, taking the lead 26-25 thanks to a layup by
Rylan Rowe, withg 4:37 left in the first half. Turnovers allowed Blackburn to end the half on a 10-4 run leading SU 35-30 at half.
Spalding gradually cut into Blackburn's lead early in the second, before a three-pointer by Mumphrey tied the game, 41-41, with 15:18 left to play. The teams would exchange the lead before a couple steals would let Blackburn expand a lead to six, 49-43, with 11:15 to go. Spalding fought to cut into the Blackburn lead causing turnovers late in the game and knocking down baskets making the most of the forced turnovers. A layup by
Nick Trisko would give SU their second lead of the half leading, 54-53, with 6:37 to play. The Golden Eagles would expand their lead to five points, 58-53, with 5:21 to go. However, Blackburn responded with a 5-0 run to take the lead, 59-58, with only two seconds left in regulation. With one final heave left for SU,
Rylan Rowe was fouled by Blackburn's Jordan Clay on a three-point attempt as time expired sending the sophomore to the line for a chance to win the game, and Rowe answered the call hitting all three free-throws to escape with the victory, 61-59.
Up next, the Golden Eagles will celebrate Senior Day hosting MacMurray College, Saturday, February 18 for SU's last game of the season. Game time is slated for 3 pm EST at DSG.
