HANOVER, IND. – Senior guard Tyler Alexander (Indianapolis, Ind.) compiled his first double-double in a Manchester University uniform, as he and sophomore guard Adrian Johnson (Indianapolis, Ind.) combined for 39 points, highlighting Manchester University's 2016-17 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference opener Saturday, Dec. 3.

Alexander went eight-of-18 from the field and hit seven-of-11 from the free throw line in route to a 23-point afternoon inside Hanover College's Collier Arena. He also grabbed 11 rebounds and dished off two assists as part of an afternoon in which he held the team in each category. Johnson turned in 16 points and proved tough on the Panthers' offense with four steals.

Even with those efforts included, Coach Gerad Good's side fell just shy of starting the conference campaign on the right side of the ledger. Hanover, improving to 4-1 overall and 1-0 in the league, managed to answer several strong Spartan runs during the 40 minutes to claim an 81-73 victory. Tough-luck shooting at key times proved to be the key area for the visitors, as MU (1-4 overall, 0-1 HCAC) hit less than 40 percent from the field, converted only three of 18 three-point field goal attempts and wound up an icy 58.3 percent from the charity stripe.

The Black and Gold conclude a brief two-game road swing Wednesday, Dec. 7, going to Defiance College for an 8 p.m. start.