NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. – The Manchester University men's basketball team won consecutive games for the first time this season after defeating Defiance College 84-77 on Wednesday night.

Fresh off a 61-51 upset victory over Hanover on Saturday, the Spartans followed up Saturday's big win with a strong offensive output against the Yellow Jackets.

Manchester shot 49.2 percent on Wednesday night after knocking in 29 of its 59 field goal attempts. The Spartans also made good use of the foul line, finish 75 percent (18-24) from the charity stripe.

The Spartans had two significant runs in Wednesday's game. Late in the first half and trailing by a bucket, the Black and Gold went on a 16-0 run over five minutes of action to build a 40-26 advantage. The big run by Manchester helped the Spartans to a 44-32 lead at the intermission.

Following halftime, Defiance's offense came to life and the Yellow Jackets retook control of the game after outscoring MU 34-17 over 14 minutes of game time.

Trailing 66-61 with 6:03 remaining, the Spartans scored the game's next 12 points to regain the lead. Jalen Owens (Terre Haute, Ind./Terre Haute) scored eight of the Spartans' 12 points during the critical run, highlighted by a pair of 3-pointers.

Junior forward CJ Hampton (Hammond, Ind./Griffith) poured in a game-high 24 points on Wednesday. Hampton finished 7-147 from the floor, 2-3 from downtown, and 8-9 from the free throw line. He added four assists.

Both Abdul Ogunnaike (Richton Park, Ill./Thornwood) and Jalen Owens added 15 points for the Spartans. Ogunnaike chipped in seven rebounds and three steals. Nathan Carbaugh (Fort Wayne, Ind./North Side) went a perfect 4-4 off the bench and scored nine points.

Defiance shot 46 percent (29-63) on Wednesday. The Yellow Jackets were led by Tyler Andrews' 22 points. Season Tyson added 17 points.

Manchester improved to 8-12, 6-7 HCAC on the year. With five games remaining this season, Manchester finds itself just one game behind Bluffton for the sixth and final HCAC playoff spot.

The Spartans will aim for their third straight win this weekend when the team travels to Franklin College on Saturday February 8. Game time against the Griz is scheduled for 2 p.m.

Defiance College (10-10, 5-8 HCAC) dropped its fourth straight game and is now just 3-7 since the start of the New Year. The Yellow Jackets will head to Mount St. Joseph on Saturday February 8.