WESTERVILLE, Ohio - The Manchester men's basketball team had its six-game win streak snapped by the Otterbein Cardinals during the Championship Game of the Smokey Ballenger Classic on Friday, December 30. Otterbein defeated Manchester by a score of 70-60. 

Both teams battled for the early lead through the first 12 minutes of play during Friday's game. Otterbein would take the lead with 7:18 left on the clock. The Cardinals would maintain that lead, entering halftime with a score of 32-24 in favor of Otterbein. 

The Cardinals would stretch their lead by 12 points in the second half of play, but the Spartans would rally back to bring the game within 3 points thanks to a made jump shot by  Quentez Columbus (South Bend, Ind., Adams). The Cardinals would answer back, narrowly outscoring the Spartans 38-36 in the second half to secure the 70-60 championship. 

Cam Evans finished the day with 24 points and 10 rebounds for the Cardinals. Dallas Patrick added 16 points and a team-high 11 rebounds for Otterbein. Julian Heckman and Alex Hannah also chipped in 11 points each. As a team, the Cardinals shot 40.7% from two-point range and 80.0% from the free throw line. Otterbein improved to 9-2 on the season following Friday's win. 

Bryant Smith (West Lafayette, Ind., Harrison) led the Spartans with 19 points on the day. Zach Sawyer (Columbus, Ohio, Bishop Watterson) tallied 18 points while Coy Hampton (Park Forest, Ill., Crete Monee) chipped in 5 points and 3 blocks for MU. Hampton, Smith, Sawyer, and Mitch Mendenhall (New Haven, Ind., Woodlan) all pulled down 7 rebounds during Friday's contest. As a team, the Spartans shot 32.3% from the field and 72.2% from the free throw line. Manchester is now 6-5 on the year following Friday's loss. 

Following Friday afternoon's contests, a 2022 Smokey Ballenger All-Tournament was named. Bryant Smith earned All-Tournament honors for the Spartans after totaling 41 points against both Penn State Behrend and Otterbein. 

Up next for the Black and Gold, MU will host rival Anderson University to kick-off the new year. Tip-off is set for January 4 at 7:30 p.m. in Stauffer-Wolfe Arena.