Hanover Handles Manchester U Men’s Hoops TeamHANOVER – The Manchester University men’s basketball team dropped a Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference road game at Hanover College on Saturday afternoon. The host Panthers defeated MU by a final score of 65-56.
Manchester started well on Saturday, jumping out to an early 15-5 lead seven minutes into the game. Hanover College heated up offensively and ended the half on a 24-11 run. HC led 29-26 at the intermission.
In the second half, the Spartans whittled the Panthers’ advantage down to four on two occasions but were unable to regain control of the ballgame.
The Panthers’ defense was difficult to overcome on Saturday afternoon as the Spartans were limited to 37.5% (21-of-56) shooting for the game. Manchester also committed 16 turnovers.
Hanover College shot 45% (27-of-60) from the floor.
Cortiz Buckner scored 13 points and grabbed seven rebounds. DeMoines Whitney also scored in double figures with 11 points. CJ Hampton finished with nine points and eight boards for the Spartans.
Hanover got 22 points inside from forward Kevin Williams. Williams finished 10-of-11 from the floor. Isaac Hibbard ended Saturday’s game with 19 points and eight assists. Mark Albers chipped in 10 points for HC.
Manchester slid to 3-4, 1-1 HCAC on the season. The Panthers remained undefeated this year, improving to 6-0, 2-0 HCAC.
MU will be back inaction at 2 p.m. Saturday at Transylvania.
Lady Spartans Outlasted
NORTH MANCHESTER – The Manchester University women's basketball team was defeated by Hanover College 72-65 in its Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference opener on Saturday.
Trailing by double digits for most of the game, Manchester did push the Panthers late in the fourth quarter. Five consecutive points by Hannah Lindsey pulled the Spartans to within four points, 58-54, with just under four minutes left to play.
Both teams remained close over the next two minutes. Hanover sealed the game late by converting a pair of layup opportunities and by making its free throws.
Until the fourth quarter, Manchester's offense was stymied by the Panthers' defense on Saturday afternoon. For the game, the Spartans were limited 37.9% (22-of-58) shooting. HC was also able to convert 20 turnovers into 24 points. HC outrebounded the Spartans 45-31.
Manchester was able to force the Panthers into committing 23 turnovers.
Macy Miller led MU with 16 points and five rebounds. Hannah Lindsey added 13 points and five boards. Miranda Bieghler was the third Spartan to score in double figures, finishing with 10 points. Bieghler set a new career-high with six assists.
Senior forward Alexis Nall led Hanover with 30 points and 18 rebounds. Katie Hartman added 18 points and six rebounds.
The Spartans slipped to 3-3, 0-1 HCAC on the season. Hanover improved to 3-5, 2-0 HCAC with the win.
Manchester will travel to nationally-ranked Transylvania University for a noon Saturday matchup with the Pioneers.
