NORTH MANCHESTER, IND. – In a Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference battle that saw both sides hit better than 60 percent from the field and over 50 percent from outside the arc in the opening 20 minutes, the final decision wasn't confirmed until the waning seconds Saturday, Jan. 16.

With Manchester University and Transylvania University looking to each keeping themselves close to the top in the wild and woolly Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference standings, the visiting Pioneers (6-9 overall, 6-3 conference) managed to hold off the Spartans (8-7 overall, 5-3 HCAC) 78-74 behind a 26-9 roll over the final 10:04. Despite the run, MU was resilient again as, after seeing a 12-point lead turn into a two-point deficit with less than two minutes to go, they had an opportunity to tie the contest twice in their final three possessions but just missed converting.

Freshman guard Adrian Johnson's sparkling first collegiate campaign resumed in front of the crowd at Stauffer-Wolfe Arena. The Indianapolis, Ind., native turned in 25 points, on 10-of-18 shooting, dished out eight assists and picked up a steal. Junior guard Blake Brouwer (Elkhart, Ind.) also had a strong afternoon, tallying 15 points, a blocked shot and six rebounds.

The Black and Gold, sitting in a tie for fourth on the loop standings, take to the road to conclude the first half of the 2015-16 conference slate Wednesday, Jan. 20. Manchester University takes a southern journey to Anderson University's O.C. Lewis Gymnasium for a 7:30 p.m. start.

NOTES: Johnson ran his double-figure scoring streak to eight straight games. He's been at-or-above 20-points-or-more five times in the period, as his scoring average has sky-rocketed nearly four points (13.6-17.3) in the span.