ANDERSON, IND – A furious late-game rally nearly guided Manchester University to a Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference road win Wednesday, Feb. 13.

The Spartans, trailing league rival Anderson by as much as 17 in the second half, whittled the deficit to as little as three in the waning moments but couldn't overtake their hosts in an 86-81 loss. Coach Brad Nadborne's squad (4-20 overall, 1-16 HCAC) had another impressive shooting night hitting better than 48 percent from the field, 40 percent from three-point range and canning 25-of-33 free throw attempts.

Senior forward David House (Elkhart, Ind.) and sophomore forward Jon Thompson (Rushville, Ind.) proved an effective one-two punch throughout the night. House recorded his fourth double-double of the year with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Thompson provided a strong stroke from the perimeter with a team-high 23 points thanks in large part to four three-point baskets.

MU and AU traded leads early before the Ravens used a 12-2 stretch midway through the first half to kick-start their lead. The hosts stretched the advantage to 54-37 with just over 18 minutes to go, but the Spartans answered with a 23-9 roll of their own to set up the finish.

The Black and Gold bring the curtain down on the 2012-13 season Saturday, Feb. 16. Earlham College visits Stauffer-Wolfe Arena for a 3 p.m. tipoff.

NOTES: Thompson's 20-point-plus game was his third-such of the season. …  House tallied 20-or-more points for the second time. It was the fourth time this year he's registered double-digit rebounds. ... Other statistical category leaders for Manchester University were sophomore guard Grant Newlin (Muncie, Ind.) with four assists; freshman forward Brady Dolezal (Tipton, Ind.) with two blocked shots; and sophomore forward Silas Sims (Hope, Ind.) with three steals.