BOX SCORE

LISLE, Ill. – Cameron Snelling scored his 1,000^th career point as the Benedictine University men's basketball team edged Marian University in a close 76-74 victory on Saturday afternoon in the Rice Center.

 

 

The Sabres (2-13, 0-7) led the entire first half, going up by as many as 10 points within the first four minutes of play. The Eagles (10-5, 5-2) cut their deficit to four with free throws from Nate Green and Snelling but Marian took another 10-point lead after a three-pointer from Jeff Harris.

 

 

With six minutes remaining, Dario Jokic hit a three to ignite the BenU offense and go on a 7-1 run to end the half and cut the Eagles deficit 34-35 at halftime.

 

Marian shot 50.0 percent from the floor in the first half (14-for-28) while the Eagles were 11-for-30 (36.7 percent).

 

Benedictine took their first lead of the game with a layup from Snelling to start the second half but the MU offense was too much, regaining their lead and going up by as many as five with 12:54 left in the game.

 

Both teams would continue to trade leads for the next nine minutes until a Terry Licht layup would put the Eagles up by five with just under three minutes remaining. Back-to-back three-pointers from Harris gave Marian a one-point lead but Green answered back with an and-one to put Benedictine back up on top.

 

 

With one minute left, Licht made both of his free throws after being fouled to put Benedictine up by two. The Sabres offense could not respond as the Eagles went on to win 76-74.

 

Green led all players with 24 points and had seven assists while Snelling collected 15 rebounds and scored 14 points en route to joining the Benedictine 1,000-point club. Licht scored 22 points and had 11 rebounds, his second double-double of the year.

 

As a team, the Eagles out-rebounded the Sabres 47-35 and forced 15 turnovers on 12 steals.

 

Harris led MU with 20 points.

 

The Eagles are back in action on Tuesday night when they travel to Dominican University for a 7:00 p.m. tip-off.