Box Score FRANKLIN, Ind. - The Manchester University men's basketball team earned a close 68-65 road victory over the Franklin College Grizzlies on Saturday, December 30. 

Manchester went on a 16-5 run to put the Spartans up 22-11 after the first 10 minutes of action. The Black and Gold would extend their lead by as much as 16 in the first half and enter into half on top 40-26. 

The Spartans kept the Grizzlies at a distance, maintaining a 10-point lead with 9:46 left to play in the second half. Franklin put together a rally to bring the game within two points with just over a minute left to play on the clock. Manchester would hang on to outlast Franklin for a close 68-65 victory to improve to 3-1 in conference play.

The Spartans were led by Bryant Smith (West Lafayette, Ind., Harrison) with 24 points and Zach Sawyer (Columbus, Ohio, Bishop Watterson) with 17 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, and four steals. Logan Willoughby (Greenwood, Ind., Whiteland Community) also scored in double digits on Saturday afternoon, finishing the game with 10 points while Austin Willoughby (Greenwood, Ind., Whiteland Community) finished the afternoon with eight points. 

Manchester men's basketball will return to action on the road facing Defiance College on Wednesday, January 3 at 7:30 p.m.