Basketball on the campus of Spring Arbor University (SAU) has officially begun.
The SAU Cougars in their game against Great Lakes Christian College scored the most points by an SAU team since Feb. 3, 2007. They defeated the Crusaders 110-60.
Five of the players scored double digits with junior Chris Bellamy leading the way with 23 points. Juniors Matt Van Pelt and Matt Howe both barely missed a double-double (having double digits in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocked shots). They both needed one more assist and one more rebound.
The next game for the Cougars was not as easy. Their opponent was Lourdes College. At one point in the first half the Cougars were down by 16 points. The final score was 53-59 and Lourdes College came out on the winning side of the game.
Howe led the team in scoring with 15 points and once again barely missed a double-double, needing just one more rebound. The Cougars came within three points during the second half after stopping the Grey Wolves from scoring for almost four minutes, but they were unable to get any closer as the Grey Wolves continued to score.
On Tuesday, Nov. 8, those games acted as the stepping stones that helped the team defeat Concordia University.
Concordia came to Spring Arbor in search for a win. Spring Arbor was looking to better their record.
The Cougars struggled at first. The men of Concordia came out of the locker room ready to score. They had a seven point lead early in the game, but it didn’t last long.
The team finally got into the groove, especially Bellamy, who scored 19 points in the first half alone.
Howe also played a role in the Cougar victory. He achieved his first double-double of the season by scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds.
Bellamy was the leading scorer for the Cougars with 25 points. Howe and sophomore Rob Hogans also scored more than 10 points.
The Cougars also found success at the free-throw line. They went 17 for 19, which adds to their season totals of 53 for 66.
In just three games, the men’s basketball team has scored 235 points and given up 182.
Over the weekend, the Cougars defeated Aquinas College and upset sixth-ranked Cornerstone University at the Mid-Central College Conference (MCC) and Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) Challenge.
The men’s basketball team will play at home again on Saturday, Nov. 19. They face Hope College at 7:30 p.m. in the Fieldhouse.
[WRITER’S NOTE: ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE NOVEMBER 2011 EDITION OF “THE PULSE”]