NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. – Manchester University, looking for a fresh start to the New Year, was able to accomplish just on Friday night. The Spartans ended a four-game losing streak after battling past the Mount St. Joseph Lions by a final tally of 56-52 in Stauffer-Wolfe Arena as Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference play resumed for both squads.

Manchester opened Friday's game with a 7-2 burst. The Lions, however, answered with a 22-7 run and controlled the flow of the game for much of the first half. The Spartans trailed by double-digits on two separate occasions in the opening period but managed to trail by just five, 26-21, at the intermission.

Manchester's second-half comeback was spurred by 10 straight points from senior Abdul Ogunnaike (Richton Park, Ill./Thornwood). Ogunnaike's personal run took MU from down six to up one with 16 minutes left to play.

Both teams battled back and forth the rest of the ballgame, with neither side gaining more than a five-point advantage. Manchester's defense also stepped up when it mattered most as the Spartans allowed just two points over the final 5:25 of the contest.

Ogunnaike led the Spartans with 14 points and eight rebounds.  Senior guard Keiton Hall (Lansing, Mich./Williamston) buried four threes and finished with 12 points against the Lions. Forward CJ Hampton (Hammond, Ind./Griffith) posted another double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds.

MU earned its first win since December 4 and improved to 4-7, 2-2 HCAC with the triumph. Mount St. Joseph slipped to 3-8, 1-3 HCAC with the loss. The Spartans will host rival Anderson on Wednesday January 8 at 7:30 p.m. in Stauffer-Wolfe Arena.