CHICAGO – Have a day...as in Kevin Day.
The junior forward scored a game- and career-high 18 points off the bench to help the Roosevelt men's basketball team defeat the visiting Saints by a score of 71-60 and improve to 4-0.
Day, who has been a key contributor early on for Roosevelt, shot 6-of-11 from the floor and 5-for-7 from the line to lead the way.
Roosevelt jumped out to a quick 10-0 run before Aquinas (1-3) battled back in the first half and eventually took the lead at 25-24. The teams traded buckets for the rest of the half with the Lakers taking a four point lead into the locker room.
The second half of tonight's game was very similar to the first three outings for the Lakers. Head coach Joe Griffin made some key adjustments at the break to help his team and Roosevelt outscored Aquinas 35-28 to seal the win.
"We had a lot of respect for Aquinas and the team that they returned from their national tournament berth last season," Griffin said. "Our defense was the name of the game again, holding them to 40 percent for the game and holding them to five made threes.
"Our bench gave us a great boost as they have all year, led by Kevin Day with great offensive production," Griffin continued. "His scoring and passing opens up a lot of room for his teammates. We got enough stops at the end and hit some dagger shots, and we are happy to defeat another quality opponent."
Adam Alexander scored 11 while Grant Gibson and Jake Asquini tallied eight points apiece to pace the Lakers. Junior guard Jake Ludwig was held to a season-low nine points in the contest on 3-of-8 shooting.
Aquinas was led in scoring by big man Arsenio Arrington who finished with 12. AJ Atwater chipped in with 11 off the bench.
The Lakers hit the road for the first time in 2017-18 on Tuesday night when they travel to Ohio to play Wilberforce University. Roosevelt's next home game will also kick off CCAC action. The Lakers host the St. Ambrose Fighting Bees at 3 p.m. at the Goodman Center.
For additional information on Roosevelt University athletics, visit the website at www.rooseveltlakers.com.
Quick Hits
--Junior Chandler Fuzak sat out tonight's action suffering a leg injury on Tuesday night. He is expected to return to action next week
--Roosevelt finished the game 16-for-21 from the charity stripe while Aquinas was just 13-for-23
--Backup guard Kyle Bumbalough left tonight's contest after suffering an unknown injury
--The Lakers committed just eight turnovers in the game and dished out 13 assists
