NORTH MANCHESTER, IND. – Manchester University saw more balanced scoring, as it returned to Stauffer-Wolfe Arena for Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference action Saturday, Dec. 10.

The Spartans put senior guard Tyler Alexander (Indianapolis, Ind.), sophomore guard Adrian Johnson (Indianapolis, Ind.) and senior guard Blake Brouwer (Elkhart, Ind.) in double figures against defending co-champion and preseason favorite Mt. St. Joseph. However, even with Alexander scoring 17 points, grabbing eight rebounds and dishing out three assists; Johnson ended with 19 points; and Brouwer getting back to old form somewhat with 11 points, thanks in large part to two three-point baskets, it wasn't enough to stem a red-hot shooting Lions' bunch who canned baskets at a 54.3 percent clip in route to a 76-68 decision.

MU, dipping to 1-6 overall and remaining winless in league action (0-3), went shot-for-shot over the first 20 minutes with MSJ, trailing only 34-31 at halftime. The home team kept it as close as six at the halfway mark of the second frame before the visitors went on an 18-8 run to go up by 16. Coach Gerad Good's team whittled away at the deficit, getting as close as seven in the final minute but couldn't get over the hump.

The Black and Gold close out pre-Christmas conference play Saturday, Dec. 17, traveling to Earlham College for a 4 p.m. start.