Anderson Picks Up Back-to-Back Wins against Manchester

The Anderson University Ravens (3-1) get back-to-back victories in their series with the Spartans of Manchester University (2-3). On Saturday the Ravens defeated the Spartans 72-64 in a second-half comeback victory in the O.C. Lewis Gymnasium.

RECAP

• The Spartans started the game with an early lead, but it wouldn't take long for the Ravens to find their groove and tie up the score multiple times.
• Saturday's game consisted of nine lead changes and nine ties
• The visiting Spartans began to break away from the Ravens with 7 minutes, 13 seconds remaining in the first half after draining a three, leading 24-20.
• Both sides recorded 10 points each in the remaining minutes, entering halftime as the Ravens trailed slightly 33-30.
• The threes were flying from both sides in the opening minutes of the second half. Cade Gentry and Jordan Gadis helped keep the offensive pressure on the Spartans.
• The turning point for the Ravens started at 8:57 remaining on the clock with a layup from Ronny Williams to tie up the score 49-49.
• Over the next seven minutes, the game would consist of six lead changes and two times as both sides were fighting to gain any type of offensive lead over the other.
• Sixty-to-sixty would read as the last remaining tie before a layup from Francis Uzorh would put the Ravens up 62-60, thus giving them the ultimate lead for the remainder of the game.
• The Ravens built their lead off of two 3-pointers and two layups, and held the Spartans to two free throws and a layup in the remaining minutes.
• The Ravens defeated the Spartans 72-64, capitalizing on their chances from the floor, making 27-58 (46.6%) in field goals.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• The Ravens controlled the rebound game, outrebounding the Spartans 38-29.
• The defensive pressure from the Ravens forced the Spartans to have 20 turnovers, leading the Ravens to record 31 points.
• The Ravens were hot from the bench, tallying 28 points
• Michael Rogers led the Ravens with 15 points.
• Ronny Williams: 14 points, 7 assists, 7 rebounds
• Cade Gentry: 14 points, 3 steals, 1 block
• Jordan Gadis: 10 points

COACH HANDY'S COMMENTS

• If you had told me a year ago that I would keep Cade Gentry on the floor the entire second half of a close game I would have said you were nuts. Cade played almost none as a freshman. But he showed up to practice each day and put in the work to get better. And that commitment to learning is paying off in his presence on the court. Cade turned in a terrific performance [Saturday]. He hit some big shots, but most importantly he had the discipline to get over a flair screen and snag a steal late in the game.
• I am very glad to have Michael Rogers back. He has not gotten back up to speed with our offensive sets yet, but he has the ability to just make a play at both ends.
• These back-to-backs are a new thing for us, and I am hopeful to return to our typical Wednesday-Saturday pattern next season. Talking with friends who are high school coaches, they tell me these games end up being as much about legs and shot making as much as anything else.
• Gavin Dowling did not have a great game, but he had an exceptional three-minute stretch in the second half when we ran our offensive through him and he made rock solid decisions with the ball.

UP NEXT

The Ravens welcome Defiance College (0-4) to the O.C. Lewis Gymnasium next Friday for a 7 p.m. tipoff.