Box Score AURORA, Ill. – The Edgewood College men's basketball team's second trip into Illinois in the past three days didn't yield any better results. The Eagles stayed within striking distance for the entire game, but never gained the lead beyond the first few minutes of action in a 69-64 loss to Aurora University at Thornton Gymnasium. The Eagles were tied with less than eight minutes to play, but a 13-3 Spartan run put the game out of reach.
Edgewood College (11-13, 9-10 NACC) gained the lead twice in the first half, the first time thanks to back-to-back three-point baskets from Tal Diekvoss. Joe Klocek put the Eagles ahead again at 10-9 with 15:47 to go before halftime, but an Aurora basket for Brandon Smith put the Spartans in front to stay. Another Diekvoss three-point shot, a layup from Ben Brooke and a buzzer beater from Dylan Rusch had the Eagles within one point at 30-29 by halftime.
Aurora University (17-8, 14-6 NACC) opened up a 42-33 lead in the second half, capped by a dunk from Kyle Pilmer, but the Eagles rallied back. Rusch answered Pilmer's dunk with a three-point shot and Justin Williams followed with a layup. The Spartans pulled back in front 48-44, but a pair of strong post moves from Williams tied the game at 48-48 with 7:27 to go. Unfortunately, following a Matt Savatski three-pointer that tied the game again at 51-51, the Spartans would score the next 10 points of the contest, getting four points each from Smith and Pilmer. Aurora University was shaky on the free throw line down the stretch, but converted enough to send the Eagles to their second straight defeat.
Williams was a handful for the Spartans to contain down low, as he went 6-for-13 from the field for 13 points and six rebounds. Rusch scored 12 points and Diekvoss added 11 points on three three-point baskets. Klocek added nine points and a team-high seven rebounds. The Eagles recent sharp shooting touch eluded them on Saturday, as Edgewood College made just 33.8 percent from the field.
Aurora was led by Pilmer and Smith who combined for 42 of the Spartans' 69 points. Pilmer had a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds, while Smith scored 20 points. Kalmon Stokes also had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
With their NACC Tournament berth secure, Edgewood College will wrap up the regular season and attempt to improve their seeding in their regular season finale on Wednesday night against Lakeland College. The Eagles will honor their graduating seniors prior to that game.
