The Aurora University Spartan men's basketball team took on the undefeated Raiders of the Milwaukee School of Engineering (6-0; 1-0 NAC) on Wednesday night in Thornton Gymnasium and the Spartans smothering defense came through with a 68-58 victory. 

The contest did not start out so smoothly for the host Spartans though. MSOE jumped out to a quick 8-3 lead with 17 minutes left on the scoreboard clock in the first half. The visiting Raiders continued to build on the lead and with 11:40 to play, they held a 19-9 advantage on the Spartans which brought a timeout call by AU.

AU Head Coach James Lancaster woke the Spartans who went on an 18-0 run over the next six minutes. Five Spartans scored in the run which was capped off by a shot clock beating three-point field goal by sophomore guard Mike Bumber from about 10 feet behind the three-point line. The three-pointer gave AU a 27-19 lead and forced a Raider timeout.

Both teams traded baskets in the final minutes of the first-half with AU taking a 33-28 lead into the half. AU was led by Bumber's nine points with senior forward Skyler Ormsbee chipping in eight points. MSOE was led by senior guard Deacon Bennett's seven points.

AU held MSOE to 29.9 percent (9-31) shooting in the first-half despite the Raiders shooting 45.5 percent (5-11) from three-point range. The Spartans shot 44.8 percent (13-29) in the first half from the field.

The second half played out very similar to the first half with the Raiders storming out of the halftime intermission cutting the Spartan lead and eventually taking a 40-38 lead with 14:18 to play.

But the Raider lead was short as the Spartans grabbed the lead back a minute later with a three-point basket by freshman guard Zoul Ballman. MSOE would tie the contest 43-43 with 12:17 to play but the Raiders would never have or share the lead for the remainder of the game.

AU finished the contest on a 25-15 run for the 68-58 victory. Bumber finished the game leading the Spartans with 18 points and seven rebounds, Ormsbee chipped in 14 points, five blocked shots and five rebounds, while freshman guard Tyrone Carey celebrated his 19th birthday with 14 points. Senior forward Austin Meier led MSOE with a double-double of 13 points and 23 rebounds.

AU improves to 3-4 overall on the season and 1-1 in the NAC while MSOE is now 6-1 overall and 1-1 in the NAC. Next action for the Spartan men's basketball team comes on Saturday, December 11, 2010 when they host Concordia University Wisconsin. Game time is set for 4:15 p.m. in Thornton Gymnasium.