ROCHESTER - In 10 months, this is how far Rochester's basketball team has come: From an 0-21 record to hosting an early Three Rivers Conference marquee matchup Friday night.

The Zebras hosted the Manchester Squires, and at least at this point in the season, it was the TRC's best game. Both entered 3-0.

The teams didn't disappoint. Manchester won 60-54. So competitive was this game, afterward Rochester coach Scott Newcomb paid the Squires a compliment when he said: "Overall, this is the best basketball we've played this year. I know it doesn't show in wins or losses, but give Manchester credit."

Afterward, the nattily clad Newcomb, his tie loosened, lumbered up the bleachers and donned a headset for his radio postgame show. He talked humps, as in never being able to get over them.

If this game had a story line, that was it.

Manchester led 24-14 in the second quarter. Rochester closed it to 24-20. Manchester opened it back up, leading 39-29 late in the third. Rochester then outscored Manchester 20-13 to make it 52-49 late in the fourth. Manchester went back to work, extending the lead out to 59-51.

"It seemed like we were playing catch up the whole time," Newcomb said. "We'd make a run, cut it to three or four, and they'd push it out again. Give Manchester credit - they withstood our runs."

No, the Squires never ran away and hid. At the same time, Rochester couldn't put together the one big run. Rochester's second quarter troubles hounded them throughout their game. Manchester led 16-14 after one quarter, then extended it to 24-14 in the second as the Zebras missed every shot they took the first 4-1/2 minutes of the quarter. The Zebras could never overcome the hole that drought put them in.

Earlier this week, Manchester coach Gary Goshert said the biggest key to stopping Rochester was containing their dribble penetration to the hoop. Coaches have lauded this group of Rochester sophomores - six are on the varsity roster - for years. They are talented athletes who like taking the ball to the hole.

After a few layups early, the Squires sealed the lane off, for the most part. Rochester's leading scorers were sophomores Kyle Schnitz and Deric Beck. Schnitz was averaging 17.7, and Beck was averaging 10.

They combined for 10 against Manchester. Schnitz hit 2 of 7 from the field. Beck was worse yet. He made only 2 of 12.

The Zebras put a charge in everyone at the end. Blake Newton - another of Rochester's talented sophomores - hit three-pointers like they were layups in the fourth quarter. He made four from about 23 feet out, including three straight that turned a 49-43 Manchester lead into a precarious 52-49 lead.

The Squires survived Newton's barrage by hitting their free throws. They made 9 of 13 in the fourth quarter, including four in the last 37 seconds.

"Rochester is going in the right direction," Goshert said. "Playing on the road is a tough way to go, and this was obviously an important TRC game. We had them in a bind a couple of times when the lead got to eight or 10. Instead of us being able to extend it, they were able to withstand our charges.

"We feel pretty good about coming out of here with a win against an up-and-coming team."

Six-foot-four center Chris Enyeart was huge in Manchester's win, scoring 14 and grabbing 17 rebounds even though the Zebras keyed on him. Guard Rex Reimer scored 17 and had five assists, three steals and three rebounds.

Manchester, 4-0 overall and 2-0 in the TRC, is at Homestead this evening. [[In-content Ad]]