MOUNT VERNON, Iowa - Coe College raced out to a 21-5 lead over Aurora in the first 6:42 as they cruised to a 86-65 win over the Spartans.  Coe was the only team to finish the four-team US Bank Classic undefeated.

Coe led 29-14 with 7:29 to play in the first half after back-to-back layups by Aurora's Scott Laskowski.  The Kohawks got back-to-back 3-pointers from sophomore Andrew Wirth (Cedar Falls, Iowa/Cedar Falls) and senior Kevin Gaster (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Jefferson) to put the lead to 21 points with 6:37 to play in the first half. Six-straight points by the Spartans started an 18-8 run over the final 4:42 of the first half, as Coe's lead was cut to 43-32 at the break.

The Spartans were able to cut the lead to eight with 16:44 to play, but Coe used another big run with 15:13 to play to put the game away.  A pair of free throws from Gaster started a 23-4 run.  During the stretch, Wirth scored eight-straight points, as Coe ended the run with 15-straight points in just under three minutes.  Coe's lead hit 28 points on back-to-back baskets by freshman JT Vonderhaar (Bettendorf, Iowa/Assumption).  Aurora was able to get the lead to 20 with 6:08 to play, but couldn't get any closer.

Coe shot 69.2 percent (18-of-26) in the first half, while connecting on 55.4 percent (31-of-56) for the game.  Coe was 15-of-20 from the free throw line, with the Spartans only getting to the line five times, making just one.  Coe scored 14 points on second chances, while the Kohawk bench outscored Aurora's 27-13.  The Kohawks won the battle on the boards 39-21.

Four Kohawks scored in double-figures, led by junior David Mataloni's 17 points.  Wirth added 16 points, while Vonderhaar had a career-high 14 points.  Gaster added 11 points.  Wirth was 4-of-7 from 3-point range.  Mataloni hit a 3-pointer, becoming the 11th player in school history to hit 100 for their career.  Mike Bumber led the Spartans with 20 points.  

Junior Seth Light (Carlisle, Iowa/Carlisle) had a game-high nine rebounds and nine points, while Vonderhaar had a career-high seven rebounds.  Light finished with a career-high five assists, while junior Nathan Joens (Swisher, Iowa/Xavier) tied a career-high with three.  Wirth added four assists and two steals.

The Kohawks return to action on Thursday, as they host Rockford.  Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Eby Fieldhouse.