NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. - The Manchester men's basketball team are now 2-0 in conference play after defeating Defiance 86-76 on Wednesday, November 30th. 

Manchester got on the board early, scoring off a fast break layup by Mitch Mendenhall (New Haven, Ind., Woodlan) after a quick steal by Mendenhall. The Spartans' defense was able to hold-off the Yellow Jackets, going on a 10-0 run to start the game. The Black and Gold would lead 45-28 going into halftime.

During the second half of Wednesday's matchup, Defiance outscored the Spartans 48-41. However, Manchester continued to dominate both defensively and offensively, maintaining at least an 8-point lead for the duration of the game. 

Sophomore Bryant Smith (West Lafayette, Ind., Harrison) led the Black and Gold with a career-high 28 points, scoring 20 of those points in the second half of the game. Three more Spartans would score in double-digits including Mendenhall (18), Quentez Columbus (South Bend, Ind., Adams) (16) and Logan Willoughby (Greenwood, Ind., Whiteland Community)(12). Mendenhall and Elijah Davis (Fort Wayne, Ind., Snider) had 2 steals each while Columbus led in rebounds with 7 and assists with 8. As a team, Manchester shot 46.0% from two-point range and 75.0% from the free throw line. With the win, Manchester improves to 2-4, 2-0 HCAC. 

Marell Jordan led the Yellow Jackets with 15 points and 3 steals during Wednesday's contest. Te Jones chipped in 12 points while Landen Swanner added a team-high 7 rebounds on the night. As a team, Defiance shot 38.3% from field-goal range and 78.3% from the free throw line. Following Wednesday night's loss, Defiance falls to 2-3, 0-1 HCAC. 

Up next, the Manchester men's and women's basketball teams will head to Richmond, Indiana to take on the Earlham Quakers for an HCAC double-header. Tip-off for the women's game is set for 1:00 p.m. with the men to follow at 3:00 p.m.