Box Score

LAS VEGAS, Nev. - The Elmhurst College men's basketball team had its three-game winning streak snapped in a 56-55 loss to Aurora University at the Las Vegas Hoopla Tournament. 

Elmhurst (3-5) rallied from a 14-point first half deficit to build a one-point lead in the game's final two minutes, but four straight points from Aurora (4-5) lifted the Spartans to the win. 

The Bluejays fell behind 34-20 in the opening half before pulling to within eight points (34-26 at halftime). Aurora extended its lead back to 13 points at the start of the second half, but the Bluejays used a 15-1 run over the next six minutes to take a 41-40 lead. The Spartans recaptured the lead with a 10-2 run with just under six minutes left on the clock. 

The Bluejays sliced Aurora's lead down to three points with three minutes remaining. A Joe Acosta lay-up brought Elmhurst to within a point with two minutes left. Zack Boyd gave Elmhurst a 53-52 lead with 1:37 left after hitting a pair of free throws. Aurora's Damian Lewis put the Spartans back on top by splashing home a pair of free throws with just under a minute. 

Elmhurst had two chances in the game's final 30 seconds, but the Bluejays missed both of their shots. Lewis added two free throws to give the Spartans a 56-53 lead. Sean Fendley hit a bucket in the closing seconds for Elmhurst to make the final score 56-55 in favor of Aurora.

Elmhurst struggled all game with its shooting, finishing just 32.3 percent (20-of-62) from the floor, including 7.1 percent (1-of-14) from three-point range.  Aurora hit 39.2 percent (20-of-51) of its shots, including 27.8 percent (5-of-18) from beyond the arc.

Elmhurst won the battle on the glass, outrebounding Aurora 41-35. The Bluejays turned 20 offensive rebounds into 23 second-chance points. 

Mike McCurdy led Elmhurst with 15 points and five rebounds in the loss. Boyd chipped in with 10 points and seven rebounds. Acosta finished with nine points and three steals for the Bluejays. 

Ryan Crow led the Spartans with 13 points. Mike Bumber and Josh Gabbard scored 10 points apiece for Aurora. Gabbard added seven rebounds in the victory.

Elmhurst faces the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh at the tournament on Tuesday (December 21).