LA CROSSE, Wis. --- The Aurora University men's basketball team took on Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in the first-round of the 2025-2026 NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Tournament. Aurora battled early but would fall 84-60 and see the successful campaign come to an end at 23-6 overall.

HOW IT HAPPENED
- Trailing 7-2 early the Spartans 10-4 run and held a 12-11 lead.
- Two of the three three-point buckets in the game for the Spartans came in the early run.
- Mekhi Doby had a quick five-point spree with a made three, a steal on the in-bounds and dunk.
- Doby added another following basket giving the Spartans a 14-13 lead, their last of the night.
- With 4:41 left in the half, Jeffery Hillmer threw down a dunk and AU was down four at 31-27.
- CMS (23-4) closed out the half on a 14-2 run and AU trailed 45-29 going to halftime.
- The Spartans finished the half going one-for-seven from the field.
- The second-half saw the Spartans deficit remain in double-digits and they would fall 84-60.
- Zerrick Johnson scored 11 points off the AU bench in the second-half.
 
SPARTAN LEADERS
Points: Mekhis Doby (17), Juan Madrigal (13), Cullen Rauls and Zerrick Johnson (11)
Assists: Mekhi Doby, Cullen Rauls, Juan Madrigal and Devon Richardson (2)
Rebounds: Devon Richardson (5)
Steals: Cullen Rauls and Mekhi Doby (1)
Blocks: Devon Richardson and Cullen Rauls (1)