ADRIAN, Mich. – One of the earliest collegiate basketball games in the United States featured the Manchester University Spartans and the Adrian College Bulldogs, as both teams kicked off their seasons on Saturday, Nov. 7.

After leading for a majority of Saturday's contest, the Spartans withstood a late Adrian surge to earn a hard-fought 84-81 victory.

Manchester built as much as a 12-point lead in the first half due in large part to its torrid shooting from the perimeter. The Spartans shot 57.6% (19-33) in the first half and made 12-of-21 three-point attempts (57.1%).

Back-to-back threes from senior CJ Hampton (Hammond, Ind./Griffith) and freshman Jackson Jannsen (Carmel, Ind./Carmel) gave MU a 32-20 advantage with 8:35 remaining in the first period.

Jannsen and fellow freshman Brandon Christlieb (Ashley, Ind./Prairie Heights) paced the Black & Gold offense in the opening period. Jannsen poured in 23 points in the first 20 minutes, connecting on seven three-pointers, while Christlieb added 11 points and three three-pointers.

Adrian did a better job defending the three-point line in the second period, limiting the visiting Spartans to just 2-of-9 shooting from downtown.

A Tyler Wilburn (Muncie, Ind./Delta) three-pointer gave the Spartans their largest lead of the afternoon of 13 points, 66-53, at the 13:37 mark of the second half.

Adrian would not go away in Saturday's opener, however. The Bulldogs steadily chipped away at Manchester's advantage and got within a basket on several occasions down the stretch.

The Spartans went 6-8 from the free throw line in clutch time to secure their first win of the new season.

Freshman Jackson Jannsen led all scorers with a game-high 29 points. Jackson played all 40 minutes and went 9-12 from the field and a blistering 8-11 from beyond the three-point arc.

Fellow freshman Brandon Christlieb dropped 21 points, six rebounds and five assists in his collegiate debut.

Senior Cortiz Buckner (Lafayette, Ind./Lafayette Jefferson) finished Saturday's contest with 14 points, six assists and five rebounds.

As a team, the Spartans finished 29-59 from the field, good for a 49.2% clip. MU also shot 46.7% (14-30) from downtown.

Adrian shot 48.5% (33-68) from the field on Saturday. Kendall Bellamy led four Bulldogs in double figures with 20 points.