Spalding drops a close one at Principia, 91-95.
 

THE BASICS  

THE SCORE:  Principia 95 - Spalding 91

LOCATION:  Hay Field House | Elsah, IL

RECORDS:  Spalding 3-19, SLIAC 3-12 | Principia 4-17, SLIAC 3-12

HOW IT HAPPENED

- To open the game, Principia made a lay-up and was able to get their lead to 5, but Spalding had an answer.  A lay-up from Brian Tribble put the Golden Eagles up for the first time at the 14 minute mark of the first half, and SU controlled the remainder of the half.  A free throw from Marcus Montgomery gave them the largest lead of the game at 11 with just under five minutes to go. The Panthers continued to fight back, but the Golden Eagles went into halftime up by six, 46-40.

- In the second half, Spalding was able to hold their lead for the opening minutes, but from there, it was all Principia.  The Panthers got their largest lead of the game at 11, shooting a near 78% from behind-the-arc, going 7-for-9, and 66.7% from the field. The Golden Eagles continued to shave away at the lead, and a free throw from Montgomery would cut the lead to 2 in the final minute. With a much needed stop, Spalding had the chance to take the last shot following a missed Principia lay-up. Marcus Montgomery took a three for the win, but came up short. SU fell to the Panthers on the road, 91-95.

NOTABLE STATS  
- Marcus Montgomery led all scorers with 43 points.  Brain Tribble contributed 23 points and 4 rebounds.

FOR THE FOES  
- Clark Davidson led the Principia with 20 points and 5 rebounds.
 

UP NEXT  
- The Golden Eagles will take on Eureka Saturday, February 15th in Louisville, KY at Columbia Gym at 1:00pm ET.