ANDERSON, IND. – The senior-sophomore guard duo of Tyler Alexander (Indianapolis, Ind.) and Adrian Johnson (Indianapolis, Ind.) put Manchester University on their collective backs Wednesday, Feb. 8.
Alexander, registering his third 30-point-plus effort of the season and second in his last four appearances, tallied a double-double against rival Anderson University at O.C. Lewis Gymnasium. Making life tough on the Ravens' paint defense throughout, Alexander hit 11-of-15 field goals, was nine of 10 at the free throw line and dished off an assist and picked off a steal to go with his 31-point, 10-rebound outing, good for his fourth double-double of the season. Johnson was just as rough on the home team's defense, tallying 29 points to go with two steals, an assist and seven rebounds.
Unfortunately for Coach Gerad Good's squad, AU managed to repel a late Spartans' rally to gain a 79-76 victory. Trailing 63-45 with 11:03 left, the visitors took off on a 31-12 run to lead 76-75 with just 10 seconds left. AU got a three-pointer from Mike Peters with nine seconds left and then took advantage of a turnover to hit one of two free throws and ice the decision.
Other top numbers for the Black and Gold came from freshman guard Erik Bell (Evansville, Ind.) and senior guard Chase Casteel (Monrovia, Ind.). Bell was the team leader in assists (four) as was Casteel in blocked shots (six).
The Spartans, part of a three-way tie for sixth with Bluffton University and Defiance College, take their final road trip of the 2016-17 regular season Saturday, Feb. 11. MU faces off against Rose-Hulman as part of a doubleheader with the women's team. Game times are 2 p.m. for the women and 4 p.m. for the men.