BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (Duhawks.com) - The Loras men's basketball team continued its high-octane start to the season, defeating Aurora on Friday night, 112-99. Senior
Justin VanWambeke posted a game-high 35 points, with most of his damage coming from the free-throw line, converting 19-of-23 attempts. Senior
Christian Mathis earned a double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
First Half
- An electric first four minutes to Friday's game saw each side showcase their ability to score, but it was the Duhawks who held a 14-10 lead.
- The next six minutes of play resulted in Aurora turning the tide and establishing a 33-24 lead with 10:06 to play in the first half.
- Freshman Matt Dacy-Seijo provided a spark off the bench for Loras, scoring five points on back-to-back drives, including a fast-break layup and draining a 3-pointer, cutting the Spartans' lead to five.
- Aurora's talented guards continued to push the pace and find open looks, led by Ty Carlson's 12 points in the first half and Marcus Myers' 10 points.
- The first half came to a close with Mathis sinking a pair from the line to send the Duhawks to the locker room with a 57-55 lead.
- VanWambeke turned in 21 points after 20 minutes on 5-of-8 shooting from the floor and 8-of-9 from the charity stripe. Mathis wasn't far behind, converting on 4-of-5 for 13 points.
Second Half
- In a similar storyline to the first half, Aurora was quick to switch the momentum and raced out to a four-point lead in the opening five minutes.
- The back-and-forth affair continued with the Spartans opening a six-point lead that was quickly erased.
- With 11:06 to play, Aurora had opened an eight-point lead following a layup from Henry Hudson.
- What ensued over the next 6:11 of the second half resulted in a 24-6 run by the Duhawks, turning what was an 80-72 deficit to a 10-point advantage.
- Sophomore Demond George swung the momentum in Loras' favor with back-to-back 3-pointers sandwiching a turnover from the Spartans.
- VanWambeke one-upped George with eight points during the extended run.
- A pair of free-throws from Aurora's Matt Dunn cut the Duhawk lead to three at 98-95, but Loras' ability to convert from the line helped seal the win, converting on 12-of-14 chances.
FRIEDMAN GROUP PLAYER OF THE GAME
Justin VanWambeke | After a 21-point first half, VanWambeke managed the game like the senior leader he is. With his poise and professionalism, the Machesney Park, Ill. native added 14 points to his total in the second half to seal the win.
UP NEXT
Loras tips-off against the hosts of the Frontier Communications Tournament, Illinois Wesleyan, on Saturday at 7 p.m. The Titans defeated Webster on Friday, 82-69.
