LEXINGTON, KY. – Three more made three-point baskets turned out to be a deciding factor in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference play Saturday, Jan. 14.

Manchester University, looking to continue its recent rise up the league standings, drained four treys, but the host Transylvania Pioneers countered with seven to slip past the Spartans 73-66 at Beck Hall. MU, dropping to 4-10 overall and 3-5 in the HCAC, nearly got back up off the mat completely after trailing by as many as 20 points in the second frame. A 21-5 run in the middle of the half cut a once 54-34 deficit to 59-55, but TU responded by putting up nine of the next 11 points on the scoreboard to thwart the threat.

Coach Gerad Good's squad did have three players wind up in scoring double digits. Senior guard Tyler Alexander (Indianapolis, Ind.) scored 15 points and registered seven rebounds, both team highs; freshman guard Erik Bell (Evansville, Ind.) ended with 13 points and a co-squad leading three assists; and senior guard Chase Casteel (Monrovia, Ind.) buried three three-pointers in route to a 13-point total.

The Black and Gold open a busy three-game week Monday, Jan. 16, hosting Collegiate Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin power North Park University. Tip-off time is 6 p.m. at Stauffer-Wolfe Arena.