NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. – Visiting Oberlin College escaped with a hard-fought victory on Tuesday night as the Yeomen outlasted the Spartans 72-69 in Stauffer-Wolfe Arena.

Oberlin jumped out to an 18-4 lead through 10 minutes of action. The Spartans were able to shake off their sluggish start and went on a 12-4 run in a span of just two minutes to claw within 22-16.

The Yeomen closed the first half on a 9-2 run of their own to grab a 35-24 lead at the intermission.

Manchester whittled away the Oberlin advantage, trimming the Yeomen's lead to just six at the 6:22 mark of the second half.  A three by Jared Andis (Economy, Ind./Hagerstown) got the Spartans within a pair at 66-64 with just 1:24 left to play in the game.  Oberlin responded with a basket and the Yeomen made their free throws down the stretch to secure the victory.

The Spartans shot 30-of-64 (47%) from the floor, but were limited to just 3-of-19 shooting (16%) shooting from beyond the arc. 

Oberlin shot 29-of-54 (54%) from the floor and converted 8-of-21 (38%) three-point field goal attempts.

Manchester totaled 35 rebounds and forced 15 turnovers on Tuesday night.

MU was led by DeMoines Whitney's (Detroit, Mich./Western International) 23 points. Whitney also had five boards and three blocks in 29 minutes off the bench.  Point guard Cortiz Buckner (Lafayette, Ind./West Lafayette) posted career-highs of 19 points and six assists.  Whitney and Buckner combined to shoot 20-of-29 from the floor.  Abdul Ogunnaike (Richton Park, Ill./Thornwood) grabbed a team-high eight rebounds.  The Spartan bench outscored Oberlin's bench 41-2.

For Oberlin, four Yeomen scored in double figures.  Both Andre Campbell and Joshua Friedkin led the way with 18 points.

Manchester (0-1) will play two more home games this week.  Manchester will host Kalamazoo on Friday November 15 at 9 p.m. and Adrian College on Saturday November 16 at 7 p.m.

Oberlin improved to 2-0 on the young season. The Yeomen will host the Otterbein Cardinals on Saturday November 16 at 6 p.m.