AURORA, Ill. - St. Norbert College took a massive step forward in the race for the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference regular season championship with a 87-79 win over Aurora University at Thornton Gymnasium.  

The Green Knights (18-5, 15-1 NACC) broke Aurora's 17-game winning streak, which was longest in the program's history, leading by 10 points at halftime and holding off a late rally to take back first place in the conference.  

The Green Knights opened the game with a 19-6 run, with Connor Pytleski, Ryan Cox and Cole Uhlenbrauck connecting from three. The hot hand of Uhlenbrauck was vital, as he sunk three of the five 3-pointers. After a fourth trey from Uhlenbrauck, the Spartans fought back to a 22-13 deficit which was quickly silenced by several paint points from Charlie Geske and Mason Freiburger.  

Aurora managed to get back within five points with five minutes to go in the first half until a 10-4 St. Norbert run gave the Green Knights a 44-33 halftime lead.  

Whenever it seemed the Spartans got the lead down to single digits in the second half, Will Stuckey (pictured) was there to stop them in their tracks. The sophomore scored nine points in the first ten minutes of the second half, with several of his makes giving the Green Knights a double-digit lead back.  

Aurora eventually got it down to 74-69 with just under five minutes to play. Five quick points from Pytleski regained a 79-72 lead, leading to Aurora unable to recover. Free throws from Stuckey and Pytleski iced the game even further, as they combined for eight makes in the last 90 seconds.  

St. Norbert shot 46 percent from the floor (29-for-63) and 52.6 percent from three (10-for-19). Stuckey led the Green Knights with 25 points and five assists, while Pytleski had 18 points and seven rebounds. Uhlenbrauck also had 18 points, shooting 4-of-6 from three.  

Aurora shot 42.4 percent from the floor (28-for-66) and were held to just two 3-pointers by St. Norbert. Juan Madrigal led the Spartans with 21 points.