Spartans Edge Ravens for Top Seed

Manchester University (16-9, 14-4) edged the Anderson University men's basketball team (16-9, 14-4) by a score of 78-73 during Friday's Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) matchup in O.C. Lewis Gymnasium to secure the top seed in the HCAC Tournament.

Both teams split the HCAC regular-season title. Since the two teams split during the season, Manchester held the second tiebreaker against Anderson, since Manchester swept third-place Hanover College (16-9, 12-6) and Anderson split with Hanover.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Anderson surged to a 14-2 lead in the first 5 minutes, 6 seconds of the game. Tate Ivanyo scored six of Anderson's points during the run.
• Alex Hunt hit a 3-pointer with 9:42 left in the first half to give Anderson a 27-14 lead.
• Manchester steadily chipped away at the lead to cut the deficit to 40-36 with 1:47 left in the half. The Ravens entered halftime with a 43-36 lead.
• The Spartans opened the second half with a 9-0 surge to go ahead 45-43 with 16:38 to go.
• Following a 3-pointer from Camden Smith, Quentez Columbus hit a shot to regain a 47-46 lead.
• The Spartans went ahead 51-46. Ivanyo cut the lead to three and Fred Shropshire drained a 3-pointer to even the score at 51-51 with 12:33 to go.
• Ty Lynas hit a free throw to put Manchester ahead 52-51. The contest began to oscillate as five lead changes occurred in the next 1:23.
• Lynas drained a 3-pointer to give the Spartans a 62-60 lead. Hunt hit a 3-pointer on the following possession. Sawyer then hit a shot to go ahead 64-63 with 7:32 to go.
• Three more lead changes occurred in the next 2:17 to put Anderson ahead 67-66.
• Elijah Mattingly and Bryson Huckeby each hit a pair of free throws to give the Ravens a 71-66 lead with 3:39 to go.
• Manchester then compiled a 7-0 run on three consecutive possessions. Mitch Mendenhall completed a bucket-and-1, Sawyer evened the score with a layup and then Columbus finished a fast-break layup off a steal. The Spartans led 73-71 with 2:32 to go.
• Camden Smith hit a pair of free throws to even the score.
• Bryant Smith hit a critical 3-pointer to give the Spartans a 76-73 lead with 1:33 to go.
• Manchester came up with defensive stops on four consecutive possessions to seal the game, including two steals from Columbus.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• In the second half, Manchester converted 17-of-37 (45.9 percent) shots from the field while Anderson made 9-of-25 (36 percent) attempts from the floor.
• The Spartans held an 8-0 advantage in fast-break points and a 16-12 advantage in points off turnovers.
• Manchester hit 30-of-67 (44.8 percent) shots from the floor while Anderson made 24-of-61 (39.3 percent) attempts from the field.
• The Ravens drained 10-of-31 (32.3 percent) shots from 3-point range while the Spartans knocked down 7-of-20 (35 percent) attempts from the perimeter.
• Anderson converted 15-of-20 (75 percent) shots from the free-throw line while Manchester made 11-of-19 (57.9 percent) attempts from the charity stripe.
• Tate Ivanyo – 17 Points
• Alex Hunt – 15 Points, 5 Steals, 3 Blocks
• Elijah Mattingly – 13 Rebounds, 8 Points, 5 Blocks
• Camden Smith – 13 Points
• Jordan Gadis – 9 Points
• Bryson Huckeby – 6 Points
• Fred Shropshire – 3 Points
• Gavin Dowling – 2 Points

SENIOR NIGHT

Anderson celebrated men's basketball seniors Brayton Cain, Avery Paddock, athletic training seniors Mary Engbrecht, Peter Hall, senior cheerleaders Janiyla Holloway and Raven Rasdell for Senior Night.

Brayton Cain graduated from Frankton High School before attending the University of St. Francis in Fort Wayne. Before his junior season, Cain transferred to Anderson to complete his career. Avery Paddock graduated from Alexandria-Monroe High School in Alexandria before attending Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati. Paddock also transferred to Anderson prior to his junior season. He has not competed during the 2022-23 season due to an injury suffered prior to the season.

SENIOR COMMENTS

• Brayton Cain – It was a blessing when I transferred here. It saved me. I'm glad about the teammates I've met; they've helped me a lot. I wish we got the win [on Friday], but we got to win a share of the conference championship, which is something that hasn't been done in a long time. We made history; I wish we had won it outright, but that's the way it goes sometimes.
• Avery Paddock – It's been crazy. I started in Cincinnati and I came here as a junior. I had some trouble with injuries, so it's been pretty rough. I wouldn't change this for the world. This is a great place to be. I've had a great time. I love these guys that we are with this year. Obviously, I wish I could be on the court playing, but I trust these guys. This is a good basketball team and I think we got a good shot in the tournament, so I'm excited to see where we go from there.

COACH CARTER COLLINS'S COMMENTS

• I thought Manchester earned the win with their second half effort - they were the tougher team, and I felt like they wanted it more. In a lot of ways, it was a mirror image of our first game against them, but reversed. They are certainly deserving of being co-champions with us.
• I want to thank everyone who came out [for Friday's game] - the atmosphere was incredible. We've had the best home crowds in the conference all season long, and [Friday] was the best one yet.
• Avery and Brayton have been phenomenal additions to our program. Although they started their college careers at different places, they both certainly made their mark AU during their time here. We will miss their competitiveness and leadership next year.

UP NEXT

Anderson enters the HCAC Semifinals as a No. 2 seed. The Ravens begin their tournament run on Friday in North Manchester with the time and opponent both to be determined.