LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Spalding men's basketball team lost in an agonizing fashion as their late game heroics were not enough to top MacMurray, falling 69-66.
THE BASICS
THE SCORE: Spalding 66 – MacMurray 69
LOCATION: Columbia Gym | Louisville, Ky
RECORDS: Spalding 3-15, SLIAC 3-8 | MacMurray 6-12, SLIAC 4-7
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The first half started off as a back and forth battle, with four lead changes and three ties in the first seven minutes of action. Spalding started to get things going offensively, taking the lead for the remainder of the first half. The Golden Eagles shot over 40% from the three-point line in the first half, draining five of twelve attempts. Spalding's defense also starred in the first half, nabbing seven steals and holding the Highlanders to a mere 18% from range. Spalding held a two-point lead heading into the break.
- The start of the second half followed in suit with the first, as both teams came out to play. MacMurray and Spalding traded the lead and tied each other seven and nine more times, respectively. MacMurray began to pull away after the teams were tied at 58 at the four-minute mark following a three from Mitchell Prince. From there, the Highlanders held the lead for the remainder of the game. Spalding's defense never allowed the lead to reach double digits however, and the offense clawed back. In the closing seconds, Marcus Montgomery drained a three to cut the MacMurray lead to three. A foul and two missed free-throws later, the Golden Eagles had the ball back with only five seconds showing on the clock. Troy Amanor grabbed the defensive rebound and threw the ball up-court to Brian Tribble who heaved up a prayer as the buzzer sounded. Unfortunately, the shot was just off the mark and the Highlanders walked away victorious.
- Montgomery, Amanor, Prince, Tribble, and Xavier Gari all played over 32 minutes for the Golden Eagles. Clayte Weathers was the lone player off the bench, contributing a solid 18 minutes. Montgomery and Amanor each had double digit scoring nights with 24 and 21 respectively. Amanor also grabbed 18 of the teams 34 rebounds on the night, providing him another double-double for the season.
FOR THE FOES
- Logan Dorethy led for MacMurray with 26 points and eight rebounds. Camron Jamison followed with a near double-double, accruing 19 points and nine rebounds.
UP NEXT
- The Golden Eagles look to complete a season sweep over Iowa Wesleyan in their next matchup on Saturday, February 1st at 4:00 ET in Mount Pleasant, Iowa.
