SAU Seniors Shine Bright

  

SPRING ARBOR, MI -- Saturday afternoon marked the perfect happy ending on Bockwitz court for the five seniors of the Spring Arbor University men’s basketball team, who outlasted the Goshen College Maple Leafs 79-67 on senior night.  

It would be a day to remember for each of the team’s seniors, each of whom played a major role in the victory. Guard Chris Bellamy recorded his 600^th rebound and center Matthew Howe joined the 1,000 point club with a layup early in the first half. Howe and Bellamy are two of only 14 players ever at Spring Arbor to have recorded both more than 1,000 points and 600 rebounds. 

Starting point guard Matt Van Pelt and starting big man Matt Carden both recorded double doubles in the game. Van Pelt scored 10 points and dished out 10 assists, while Carden tallied 14 points and pulling down 13 rebounds. The 6’6 power forward’s scoring average has increased drastically in the last six games. While averaging 4.63 points per contest overall, Carden is averaging almost 11 points per game in his last six. His midrange shooting is the most accurate it has been in four seasons.  

           “My shot’s really been clicking lately and my confidence is at an all-time high because my teammates keep telling me to pull the trigger without hesitating,” said Carden. “I just try to play my role and hit shots when Van Pelt, Bellamy, and the other guys find me,” he added. 

Senior Randy Taylor, who saw playing time near the end of the second half, played his often overlooked role in the game by being a great teammate and looking to screen for guys like Carden. 

“Randy [Taylor] was a great teammate today,” said Carden. He was communicating out there which helped us on both ends of the floor.” 

While the night belonged to seniors Taylor, Carden, Van Pelt, Bellamy, and Howe, it was junior Rob Hogans who led them all. Hogans connected on five long-range shots and had a game-high 29 points. He led the team statistically, but it was a collective effort throughout. 

            Spring Arbor controlled the pace the entire game, never relinquishing a lead. Despite trailing most of the game, Goshen showed heart and did not quit, only losing the second half by one point. Small forward Jarrad Jamerson and point guard Stefon Luckey led the Maple Leafs with 14 points each. Forward Matthew Martin chipped in with 13 points. Goshen’s balanced attack was not enough as the Cougars were able to continue their win streak (now at six games) and send their seniors out in style.