CINCINNATI, Ohio - The Manchester University men's basketball team came up just short on Saturday afternoon against Mount St. Joseph University. The Spartans fell in HCAC action to the host Lions by a narrow final score of 71-62.

Very little separated these two squads on Saturday afternoon. The Lions made just two more field goal than MU, finishing 28-59 (47.5 percent) from the floor while the Spartans shot 26-60 (43 percent). Both teams made six 3-pointers.

Manchester held a small advantage on the boards, outrebounding MSJ 37-33. The Spartans also blocked four shots.

With 5:43 remaining in the game, the Spartans took a 58-57 lead following a pair of free throws from DeMoines Whitney (Detroit, Mich./Western International).

The Lions answered with five straight points to grab a four-point lead with just over four minutes left in regulation. Manchester cut its deficit two just two points on two separate occasions in the final minutes but could not regain the lead.

DeMoines Whitney led the Black and Gold with 16 points and eight rebounds. Jalen Owens (Terre Haute, Ind./Terre Haute North) contributed 10 points and three assists in 28 minutes off the bench. CJ Hampton (Hammond, Ind./Griffith) tallied eight points, six rebounds, five steals, and three blocked shots against the Lions.

MSJ was led by Avery Paddock's 19 points and nine rebounds.

Manchester (6-11, 4-6 HCAC) will travel to Rose-Hulman on Wednesday January 29.

Mount St. Joseph (4-13, 2-8 HCAC) ended a seven-game losing streak on Saturday. The Lions will travel to Hanover College on Wednesday January 29.