LEXINGTON, Ky. - The Manchester men's basketball team earned a key Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) victory over Transylvania on Saturday. February 10. The Spartans took Saturday's game by a final score of 91-83 to improve to 14-9 overall and 11-5 in conference play.

After being tied 11-11 at 14:24 mark in the first half, Manchester put together a 16-7 run to pull ahead by nine-points. Transylvania would answer, taking a 33-34 lead with just 25 seconds left on the clock. The Spartans would rely on free-throws to take a 35-34 advantage at the half. 

The second half saw both teams getting into foul trouble early, with the Spartans and Pioneers reaching the double bonus before the 10-minute mark. Manchester was able to maintain a lead throughout the second half behind a 54.55 field goal percentage and a  57.14 three-point shooting percentage as the Spartans outscored Transylvania 56-49 for a 91-83 win on Saturday afternoon. 

Three Spartans finished Saturday's game with 20 or more points, led by senior Zach Sawyer (Columbus, Ohio, Bishop Watterson) with 25 points, eight rebounds, and five assists. Logan Willoughby (Greenwood, Ind., Whiteland Community) shot 5-8 from three-point range en route to 24 points. Bryant Smith (West Lafayette, Ind., Harrison) added 22 points, while Mitch Mendenhall (New Haven, Ind., Woodlan) scored eight points and pulled down eight rebounds. 

Additionally, head coach Nate Conley picked up his 50th win at the helm of the Manchester men's basketball program on Saturday.

The Spartans have two games remaining in the regular season, including a home contest against Defiance College on Tuesday, February 13. Manchester will travel to rival Anderson University on Friday, February 16.