River Forest, Ill.- The Cougar men came into tonight's game looking to rebound after an exhausting and tough weekend in Mequon, Wis. at the 67th annual Concordia Invitational Tournament where they came up short against CUW and Concordia Nebraska.  Aurora is sitting tied in second place in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference looking to keep up Benedictine and MSOE at the top of the conference.  The first half displayed poor shooting from both teams, but Aurora held a lead as high as 12, but the Cougars were able to cut that lead to two heading into halftime.  In the second half, it was much back and forth until Aurora pulled away with eight to go to win by the final score of 78-66 victory.    

Beginning of the first half, both teams started out slow shooting the ball as the defensive pressure was impressive on both ends of the floor.  Jonathan Wilson started the game well for the Cougars, providing a quick five points, but the rest of the team couldn't buy a bucket as Aurora held a 12-7 lead eight minutes into the game.  Midway through the half, Wilson continued to contribute on the offensive end, but Aurora was able answer and then some as they built their lead to 28-16.  Late in the half it was all CUC, as they ended on an 8-2 run when Sawyer Concklin buried at three at the top of the key and a Wilson dunk sparked the crowd and the Cougars only trailed 33-31 heading into halftime.  

Concordia-Chicago came out in the second half riding off their momentum from the end of the first half.  The Cougars got their first lead of the game at 39-38 on a Mitch Pelissier six foot jumper that forced an AU timeout.  Out of the timeout, Aurora quickly responded to regain the lead, but Hassan Basbous tied it up on jumper that gave life into the Cougar crowd.  Midway through the half, Pelissier started to heat up from the floor with five quick points, but the Spartans again answered the bell and expanded their lead to five.  Minutes later, after Justin Mack layup, the Spartans went on a 10-0 run to get their largest lead of the game at 13.  The run set the air out of the Cougars sails as Aurora continued to get in the lane at will and cruise the final minutes to a a 78-66 win.

Wilson led the Cougars in scoring with 19 points (8-17), nine rebounds, and three blocks.  Basbous finished with a career high 12 points (5-8) and six rebounds.          

The Cougars (2-18, 1-14 NACC) will return to action this Saturday when they head to Plymouth, Wis. to take on Lakeland University.  Tip off is set for 2:00pm.