SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - The Manchester University men's basketball team fell to Muskingum University by a final score of 84-73 in the consolation game of the 2023 Wittenberg Holiday Classic on Wednesday, December 20. 
 
Muskingum jumped out to a six-point lead to start Wednesday afternoon's contest. The Muskies would extend their lead to 13 with less than five minutes left in the first half of Wednesday's game. The Spartans battled back to bring the game within four points as the Fighting Muskies took a 38-34 lead at halftime.  
 
Manchester continued to battle, cutting Muskingum's led to just two-points with 12:42 on the clock in the second half of action. The Muskies hot shooting would propel them to an 84-73 victory on Wednesday.  
 
The Fighting Muskies were led by Owen Emig with 24 points, followed by Duane Davis with 20 points and nine rebounds. Following Wednesday night's win, Muskingum improved to 4-7, 0-4 OAC.  
 
The Spartans were led by Bryant Smith (West Lafayette, Ind., Harrison) with 23 points, shooting 4-10 from beyond the three-point arc. Zach Sawyer (Columbus, Ohio, Bishop Watterson) followed with 19 points and 10 rebounds, completing his fourth consecutive game with 10 or more rebounds. Sawyer also had a team-high seven assists, two steals, and a block on Wednesday afternoon. Mitch Mendenhall (New Haven, Ind., Woodlan) and Blake Shewmaker (Bargersville, Greenwood Christian Academy) added eight points apiece.  
 
Manchester men's basketball is now 5-5 on the season with a 2-1 mark in conference play. The Spartans will travel to Franklin College for a conference matchup with the Grizzlies on December 30 at 2:00 p.m.