Box Score RICHMOND, Ind. — Big shots and defense proved to be the difference on Saturday for the Earlham College men's basketball team beat Manchester University 73-67 in overtime on Schuckman Court in the Athletics and Wellness Center.

"It was good to get off the slide," Earlham Head Coach Marcus Gill said. "We played hard, but even harder in the second half. We kept believing, executing and making plays."

The Quakers trailed 60-57 with six seconds remaining in regulation after Greg Flores hit a pair of free throws for Manchester (4-9, 1-5).

After the Spartans called timeout, Vadial Jett (Richmond, IN, Richmond) brought the ball up the floor and found Tyler Lewers (Indianapolis, IN, Gary West) for a 3-pointer at the buzzer to send the contest into an extra session.

Heading into overtime, Gill had a simple message for his team.

"We've got an opportunity here," Gill said to his squad. "Tyler hit a big shot and now it's all about defense."

The Earlham defense came though early in the overtime as the Quakers built a 67-62 advantage with 2:13 remaining.

The Spartans closed the gap to 67-65 before Blake Welch (Lynn, IN, Randolph Southern) nailed a 3-pointer with 35 seconds left to put the Quakers on top 70-65.

Welch followed that moment by hitting 1-of-2 free throws and Dustin Rusk (Frankfort, IN, Clinton Prairie) hit a pair from the free throw line with two seconds left to put the game out of reach for the Spartans.

The Quakers had five players in double figures led by Jett, who finished with 17 points and four assists. Welch and Rusk added 15 points each. Rusk ended the afternoon with a double-double as he led the Quakers with 10 rebounds.

Lewers tossed in 12 points, while Jack O'Flaherty (Sheridan, IN, Sheridan) had 11 points.

Spartans in Control Early

Both teams held early leads before Manchester pulled away in the first half with a 17-12 lead at the 9:41 mark.

Earlham was able to answer to tie the game at 17-17 when Jett hit a 3-pointer with 7:20 to go in the opening period, but the Spartans bounced back to lead 24-20 at halftime.

In the second half, both teams held leads as the stage was set for the Quakers to come away with the victory.
 
Earlham (2-11, 1-5) entertains Bluffton University on Wednesday. The HCAC affair gets underway at 7:30 p.m.