NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. – The Manchester University men's basketball team opened the 2021-22 season in front of a standing-room-only and raucous crowd inside of Stauffer-Wolfe Arena on Tuesday November 9.

The Black & Gold were looking to pull off the upset as they welcomed No. 7 Trine to North Manchester. The nationally-ranked Thunder used a critical 10-0 run late in the 2^nd half to avert the upset, topping Manchester University by a final score of 82-71.

The Spartans opened with some good energy and offensive play in the opening minutes of Tuesday's game. First-year guard Bryant Smith (West Lafayette, Ind./Harrison) knocked in a pair of three-pointers to give MU an early 6-3 lead.

The Spartans secured a 5-point lead around the 13:33 mark of the opening half thanks to an 8-0 run. The run was highlighted by three-pointers by both Hunter Perlich (Fort Wayne, Ind./Churubusco) and Mitch Mendenhall (New Haven, Ind./Woodlan).

The Thunder rallied and were able to grab a 6-point lead just before intermission, 37-31.

The Spartans nearly overcame of pair of double-digit deficits in the 2^nd half. The second rally by the Black & Gold saw the Spartans claw to within 3 points, 59-56, at the 9:44 mark of the period.

A veteran Thunder squad withstood Manchester's push and used a critical 10-0 spurt to push its lead back into double figures.

For the game, the visiting Thunder finished 29-55 (52.7 percent) from the field and 14-23 (60.9 percent) from three-point territory. Trine guard Nick Bowman, a D3hoops.com Second Team Preseason All-American, led the Thunder with 26 points, 6 steals, and 6 rebounds. Three other Thunder players scored in double figures – Bryce Williams (15 points), Aidan Warzecha (14 points), and Connor Jones (11 points).

Manchester finished Tuesday's game 24-48 (50 percent) from the floor and 11-25 (44 percent) from downtown. Bryant Smith led the Black & Gold with 19 points in his collegiate debut. He made 5 three-pointers. Sophomore Brandon Christlieb (Ashley, Ind./Prairie Heights) added 15 points and 8 rebounds. First-year point guard Quentez Columbus (South Bend, Ind./Adams) added 11 points, 6 assists, and 3 steals.

Trine assisted on 22 of its 29 made field goals, while the Spartans assisted on 18 of its 24 made baskets.

The Spartans were forced into committing 24 turnovers which Trine turned into 28 points. Manchester was able to convert 17 Trine turnovers into 16 points.

Manchester (0-1) will return to action on Friday November 12 with a road trip to Kalamazoo. Game time from Michigan is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

The No. 7 Thunder improved to 2-0 on the season.