LISLE, Ill. - The Benedictine University men's basketball team lost for the first time this year in conference play, dropping a 76-69 decision to Aurora at home.

Benedictine did not lead in the contest. Aurora scored the first basket of the game before Tim McGinty evened the contest by making a layup. Aurora answered with six consecutive points to lead 8-2. The Eagles came back to even the score at 13-13 when Michael Blaszczyk drained a three-pointer with 15:34 to play in the first half. The visitors led by seven on several occasions the remainder of the half with Benedictine pulling to within one but never able to take the lead. Aurora held a 41-36 lead at the break, making 18 field goals in the opening 20 minutes of play on 52.9 percent shooting.

Aurora opened a 12-point advantage just over four minutes into the second half before a Benedictine surge. John Dodson sparked a 12-0 run with a layup. Shawn Soelter evened the contest with a three at the 10:28 mark, making the score 52-52. The Spartans notched seven consecutive points to grab control of the contest with just over eight minutes remaining. Aurora led by nine points with 3:54 to go and Benedictine could pull no closer than five the rest of the way. Dodson converted on a three-point play with 1:30 left to account for the closest margin.

The contest featured three ties and saw the visitors net 52 points in the paint while tallying 22 points on 16 turnovers. Benedictine held a 38-32 advantage on the glass and scored 16 points on second chances. Dodson paced three players in double figures with 16 before fouling out. Tahron Harvey added 14 while McGinty contributed 10 with seven boards. 

Benedictine (3-2, 2-1) continues a busy week on Thursday night with a 7:00 p.m. contest on the road against Concordia Chicago.