NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. — The Mount St. Joseph University men's basketball team defeated Manchester University, 65–44, on Saturday afternoon.
The Lions came out strong, with Jason Lavender knocking down a three-pointer within the first 30 seconds of the game. Mount St. Joseph maintained a 4–6 point lead for much of the opening half. At the 10:05 mark, the Lions went on a 12–4 run that lasted until 6:03, extending their advantage to double digits. With five seconds remaining, Cooper Ollis buried a three-pointer to give the Mount a 13-point lead heading into halftime, 31–18. The Lions shot over 45 percent from the field and 50 percent from beyond the arc in the first half, led by Lavender's 10 points and Ollis's 9.
Mount St. Joseph controlled the second half, with the Spartans cutting the lead to single digits just once. The Lions led by double figures for 19:42 of the 20-minute half and cruised to a 21-point victory. Ollis scored 9 second-half points, while Lavender added 8. Griffen Derry contributed two three-pointers as the Mount secured the 65–44 win.
The Lions were led by Ollis and Lavender, who each finished with 18 points. Ollis added 9 rebounds, while Lavender pulled down 8. Derry chipped in 11 points, going 3-for-5 from three-point range.
UP NEXT: The Lions will host Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology on Wednesday, January 7, with tipoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
