LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Golden Eagles took the lead in the final seconds on a Robert Bendingfield lob to Brendan Holt  for the go-ahead layup earning the win over Blackburn, 73-71, Saturday at Columbia Gym. The Golden Eagles and Beavers came into Saturday's game tied for the fourth spot in the SLIAC. The win pushed Spalding's record to 6-9 overall and 5-3 in conference, now one game ahead of Blackburn.
 
THE BASICS
THE SCORE: Spalding 73 – Blackburn 71
LOCATION: Columbia Gym | Louisville, Ky.
RECORDS: Spalding 6-9 (5-3 SLIAC) | Blackburn 7-8 (4-4 SLIAC)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Spalding got out to a quick start behind four points from Troy Amanor and a Marcus Montgomery layup. The Beavers chipped away at the SU lead over the next six minutes knotting the score at 20 apiece. After six lead exchanges over the next nine minutes, the Golden Eagles pulled in front on a Dominique Ellis three-pointer. After a Jacob Coke layup put Spalding up three, a Duncan King and-one tied the game at 36 with 31 seconds to go, but freshman Jerry Coleman got the rim for a layup to give the Golden Eagles a 38-36 lead at the half.
 
- After an exchange of baskets to open the half, Spalding used a quick 4-0 spurt to pull ahead 42-38. However, the Beavers answered again, using a 9-2 run taking a 47-44 lead on a Tim Marston three-pointer at the 15:38 mark. The Beavers held the lead from the 15:38 mark forward and looked to be in control leading by five with 2:00 minutes to play. Trailing 71-66, Ellis knocked down a three-pointer from the wing and Montgomery drilled a jumper from the elbow on SU's next possession to bring the score square, 71-71. Following a missed-three point attempt, Ellis pulled down the defensive rebound, the Golden Eagles rushed the ball past the half court line and Head Coach Kevin Gray called for a timeout with 15 seconds to play. Ellis inbounded to Bendingfield, who held the ball on the perimeter until Amanor came out to set a screen. Bendingfield made a head fake right, drove hard to the left, opposite the screen drew help from Blackburn's Jamaya Wyatt, and lobbed it just over his outstretched arms to Holt for the go-ahead layup with five seconds to play. Blackburn inbounded the ball, but Ellis swiped the ball from guard Raushaun Amos and ran out the clock as SU earned the victory, 73-71.
 
NOTABLE STATS
- Ellis led four Golden Eagles who finished in double-figures tallying 19 points and nine rebounds. Montgomery finished with 17 points and six rebounds. Amanor and Bendingfield added 10 points apiece. Amanor also pulled down eight rebounds, while Bendingfield connected on seven assists.   
 
FOR THE FOES
- Duncan King led the Beavers with 15 points, while Nigel Ferrell and Tim Marston added 15 points apiece.  
 
UP NEXT
- The Golden Eagles are back in action Wednesday, January 16 at home against Fontbonne, taking on the Griffins at 8:00 pm EST.