CINCINNATI, Ohio - Manchester men's basketball battled past host Mount St. Joseph University on Saturday, December 2, earning a hard-fought 67-62 victory over the Lions in the Spartans' Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) opener.

After a back-and-forth start to Saturday's contest, the Spartans and Lions were tied 19 apiece with just over 10 minutes left in the first half. Mount St. Joseph would pull ahead, taking a 41-29 lead going into halftime. 

The Spartans were able to limit Mount St. Joseph to a 27.27 shooting percentage in the second half as Manchester battled back to tie the score at 52 with 9 minutes left in the second half. Two made free-throws by Zach Sawyer (Columbus, Ohio, Bishop Watterson) put the Spartans back on top by two. The battle would continue as the Spartans and Lions tied the score at 62-62 with just under 2 minutes left on the clock thanks to a made free throw by Ty Lynas (Crawfordsville, Ind., Crawfordsville). He would make his second free throw to put the Black and Gold up by one point. Manchester's defense would hold off the Lions as the Spartans brought home the 67-62 win.

As a team, Manchester shot 42.4% (25-59) on Saturday, including 40 points in the paint and 19 points off turnovers. The Black and Gold also had 32 rebounds and seven steals. 

Sawyer led the Spartans with a season-high 28 points and five steals during Saturday's matchup. Lynas recorded his first double-double of the season after scoring 22 points and pulling down 11 rebounds. Coy Hampton (Park Forest, Ill., Crete Monee) added two blocks against the Lions. With the win, Manchester improves to 3-2, 1-0 HCAC. 

Mount St. Joseph was led by Luke Collingsworth with 24 points,10 rebounds, and a block. Dylan Hammonds added 12 points and a steal for the Lions. Mount St. Joseph fell to 1-6, 1-1 HCAC following Saturday's loss.

The Spartans will host the Beavers of Bluffton University as they continue conference play on Wednesday, December 6. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in Stauffer-Wolfe Arena.