AURORA, Ill. – A 3-point basket by Max Vickers of Aurora University with 2.8 seconds left ended the Edgewood College Men's Basketball season in the opening round of the NACC Tournament Wednesday night. It was Vickers 3-point make that proved to be the difference in an outstanding back-and-forth game.

HOW IT HAPPENED
- Neither team led by more than six points (Aurora in the opening half) and the lead changed hands 22 times in Wednesday's thriller. Edgewood College trailed 35-33 at the half, and neither team led by more than four points in the second half. The two teams also combined for 14 ties in the contest.

- With 3:18 to go in the game and the Eagles trailing 64-62, Jake Negus drove to the rim and converted an old fashioned 3-point play to put his team up 65-64. The Spartans responded with a bucket on their next trip and the Eagles tied the game up at 66 as McClain Steffens made a free throw with 2:45 left on the clock. Steffens led the Eagles with 20 points, while Negus added 18.

- The 66-66 score would hold until there was 1:21 left as two Aurora free throws pushed the Spartans back in front. Steffens quickly drove the length of the floor, evening the score up at 68-68. The two teams would trade free throws, including two from Negus, making it 70-70 with 20 seconds left.

- Vickers, who led all players with 31 points, put the finishing touches on the game with his third 3-point make of the night. Edgewood College called a timeout, but all it could get off was a half court heave, which fell short, resulting in the Spartans victory.

- Ben Seefeld joined Negus and Steffens in double figures, finishing the game with 12 points. Negus ended the season with 15-straight games in double figures and Seefeld recorded 13-straight such games to close the year.

- The Eagles finished the game shooting 41.4 percent (24-for-58) from the floor and 32 percent (8-for-25) from 3-point range. They also made 14-of-21 from the free throw line, including shooting 10-of-14 in the second half.

- Sy Staver tied for a game-high seven rebounds for the Eagles.

THE OPPOSITION
- In addition to Vickers 31 points, the forward also pulled down seven rebounds. Terrell Wilson added 16 points and seven rebounds for Aurora.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- The game concludes the careers for an outstanding senior class for Edgewood College. Steffens, Staver, Emil Radisevic, Tyler Lemke, and Jaden Lechelt helped lead the Eagles to back-to-back NACC Tournament appearances, including an opening round win a year ago over MSOE.