HANOVER, Ind. - The Manchester men's basketball team fell to the host Hanover Panthers by a final score of 74-67 in HCAC action on Saturday, February 3. 

The Spartans jumped out to a 10-3 lead in the opening five minutes of Saturday's game. Hanover was able to take a 28-20 lead with 7:37 left to play in the first half. Manchester battled back to bring the game within one point, but the Panthers' offense would stay hot as they took a 44-31 lead at the half. 

Hanover extended their lead to 61-43 at the 12:17 mark in the second half. The Black and Gold battled back, erasing Hanover lead to just five points with just over three-minutes left to play in Saturday's game, but the Spartans efforts would fall short as the Panthers secured the 74-67 victory to improve to 13-8 overall and 9-5 in conference play.

Zach Sawyer (Columbus, Ohio, Bishop Watterson) led the Black and Gold with 21 points and seven rebounds, followed by Bryant Smith (West Lafayette, Ind., Harrison) with 17 points and seven rebounds. Logan Willoughby (Greenwood, Ind., Whiteland Community) netted 12 points, while Coy Hampton (Park Forest, Ill., Crete Monee) also pulled down seven rebounds and scored eight points. Manchester fell to 13-8 overall and 10-4 in HCAC play. 

Up next, the Spartans will host Franklin College in Stauffer-Wolfe Arena on Wednesday, February 7.