No. 7 Trine Edges Manchester 82-71

November 11, 2021 at 10:10 p.m.
No. 7 Trine Edges Manchester 82-71
No. 7 Trine Edges Manchester 82-71

By Dillon Bender-

NORTH MANCHESTER – The Manchester University men’s basketball team opened the 2021-22 season in front of a standing-room-only and raucous crowd inside of Stauffer-Wolfe Arena on Tuesday.

The Black & Gold were looking to pull off the upset as they welcomed No. 7 Trine to North Manchester. The nationally-ranked Thunder used a critical 10-0 run late in the 2nd half to avert the upset, topping Manchester University by a final score of 82-71.

The Spartans opened with some good energy and offensive play in the opening minutes of Tuesday’s game. First-year guard Bryant Smith (West Lafayette,) knocked in a pair of three-pointers in the to give MU an early 6-3 lead.

The Spartans secured a 5-point lead around the 13:33 mark of the opening half thanks to an 8-0 run. The run was highlighted by three-pointers by both Hunter Perlich (Fort Wayne) and Mitch Mendhall (New Haven).

The Thunder rallied and were able to grab a 6-point lead just before intermission, 37-31.

The Spartans nearly overcame of pair of double-digit deficits in the 2nd half. The second rally by the Black & Gold saw the Spartans claw to within 3 points, 59-56, at the 9:44 mark of the period.

A veteran Thunder squad withstood Manchester’s push and used a critical 10-0 spurt to push its back into double figures.

For the game, the visiting Thunder finished 29-55 (52.7 percent) from the field and 14-23 (60.9 percent) from three-point territory. Trine guard Nick Bowman, a D3hoops.com Second Team Preseason All-American, led the Thunder with 26 points, 6 steals, and 6 rebounds. Three other Thunder scored in double figures – Bryce Williams (15 points), Aidan Warzecha (14 points), and Connor Jones (11 points).

Manchester finished Tuesday’s game 24-48 (50 percent) from the floor and 11-25 (44 percent) from downtown. Bryant Smith led the Black & Gold with 19 points in his collegiate debut. He made 5 three-pointers. Sophomore Brandon Christlieb (Ashley) added 15 points and 8 rebounds. First-year point guard Quentez Columbus (South Bend) added 11 points, 6 assists, and 3 steals.

Trine assisted on 22 of its 29 made field goals, while the Spartans assisted on 18 of its 24 made baskets.

The Spartans were forced into committing 24 turnovers which Trine turned into 28 points. Manchester was able to covert 17 Trine turnovers into 16 points.

Manchester (0-1) will return to action on Friday November 12 with a road trip to Kalamazoo. Game time from Michigan is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

The No. 7 Thunder improved to 2-0 on the season.

NORTH MANCHESTER – The Manchester University men’s basketball team opened the 2021-22 season in front of a standing-room-only and raucous crowd inside of Stauffer-Wolfe Arena on Tuesday.

The Black & Gold were looking to pull off the upset as they welcomed No. 7 Trine to North Manchester. The nationally-ranked Thunder used a critical 10-0 run late in the 2nd half to avert the upset, topping Manchester University by a final score of 82-71.

The Spartans opened with some good energy and offensive play in the opening minutes of Tuesday’s game. First-year guard Bryant Smith (West Lafayette,) knocked in a pair of three-pointers in the to give MU an early 6-3 lead.

The Spartans secured a 5-point lead around the 13:33 mark of the opening half thanks to an 8-0 run. The run was highlighted by three-pointers by both Hunter Perlich (Fort Wayne) and Mitch Mendhall (New Haven).

The Thunder rallied and were able to grab a 6-point lead just before intermission, 37-31.

The Spartans nearly overcame of pair of double-digit deficits in the 2nd half. The second rally by the Black & Gold saw the Spartans claw to within 3 points, 59-56, at the 9:44 mark of the period.

A veteran Thunder squad withstood Manchester’s push and used a critical 10-0 spurt to push its back into double figures.

For the game, the visiting Thunder finished 29-55 (52.7 percent) from the field and 14-23 (60.9 percent) from three-point territory. Trine guard Nick Bowman, a D3hoops.com Second Team Preseason All-American, led the Thunder with 26 points, 6 steals, and 6 rebounds. Three other Thunder scored in double figures – Bryce Williams (15 points), Aidan Warzecha (14 points), and Connor Jones (11 points).

Manchester finished Tuesday’s game 24-48 (50 percent) from the floor and 11-25 (44 percent) from downtown. Bryant Smith led the Black & Gold with 19 points in his collegiate debut. He made 5 three-pointers. Sophomore Brandon Christlieb (Ashley) added 15 points and 8 rebounds. First-year point guard Quentez Columbus (South Bend) added 11 points, 6 assists, and 3 steals.

Trine assisted on 22 of its 29 made field goals, while the Spartans assisted on 18 of its 24 made baskets.

The Spartans were forced into committing 24 turnovers which Trine turned into 28 points. Manchester was able to covert 17 Trine turnovers into 16 points.

Manchester (0-1) will return to action on Friday November 12 with a road trip to Kalamazoo. Game time from Michigan is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

The No. 7 Thunder improved to 2-0 on the season.
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092

e-Edition


e-edition

Sign up


for our email newsletters

Weekly Top Stories

Sign up to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every Sunday

Daily Updates & Breaking News Alerts

Sign up to get our daily updates and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox daily

Latest Stories


Tigers Take On Riley In Second Straight Regional Title Game
The Warsaw boys basketball team enters the regional championship round of the state tournament for the second straight year after snatching victory from the jaws of defeat in last week’s sectional championship game. With three seconds left in the game and the team down by three, it looked as if the Tigers’ season may be over.

Triton Plays Host To Regional Against Lakewood Park Christian
Since head coach Jason Groves took over at the end of the 2004-05 season, the Triton boys basketball team has had plenty of success. State champions in 2008. Three more appearances in 2009, 2011 and 2013. That 2013 season was the last time the Trojans won a regional, a statistic they’d like to update when they take on Lakewood Park Christian this weekend.

City of Warsaw
Economic Development Commission

City of Warsaw
Economic Development Commission

Public Occurrences 03.14.25
County Jail Bookings The following people were arrested and booked into the Kosciusko County Jail: