KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Visiting Manchester University's rally fell just short at Kalamazoo as the host Hornets were able to outlast the Spartans 71-64 in men's basketball action on Friday November 12.

Trailing by as much as 16 points midway through the 2^nd half, the Spartans went on a 17-2 run that chewed up more than six minutes of game clock to draw to within a basket at 65-63.

Kalamazoo was able to withstand the lengthy push by the Spartans as the Hornets managed to outscore the Spartans 6-1 over the final two minutes of the game. A key jump shot by Kalamazoo's Ty Horky and a pair of free throws by Bobby Samples sealed the win for the Hornets.

For the contest, Kalamazoo finished 26-55 (47.3 percent) from the field. Manchester was limited to just 23-65 shooting (35.4 percent). The Spartans also struggled from three-point territory, shooting just 9-35 (25.7 percent). The Hornets held a 42-34 advantage on the glass and pressured a young Spartan squad into committing 21 turnovers.

First-year guard Bryant Smith (West Lafayette, Ind./Harrison) led Manchester with 17 points. Smith finished 5-10 from beyond the three-point arc. First-year point guard Quentez Columbus (South Bend, Ind./Adams) finished with 13 points, 5 assists, and 3 rebounds. First-year guard Ty Lynas (Crawfordsville, Ind./Crawfordsville) chipped in 8 points and 6 boards off the bench.

Kalamazoo was led by Dj Courtney's 25 points and 9 rebounds. Lukas Broadsword added a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

The Spartans (0-2) will be back in action tomorrow, Saturday November 13, with another road contest in Michigan at Adrian College. Game time against the Bulldogs is scheduled for 3 p.m.

Kalamazoo (1-1) will host Anderson University tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. in the Anderson Athletic Center.