RICHMOND -- The Earlham College men's basketball team made up a 6-point halftime deficit to be in contention for a win in its opening round of Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference play against Manchester University on Saturday afternoon. However, the Spartans would not be denied as they took a 75-71 win in Druley Performance Gym. 

Kolden Vanlandingham and Jaden Terry paced the Earlham offense, both scoring over 20 points (25 and 22 respectively). 

The Quakers struggled from distance in the first half as they only made one 3-pointer off of nine attempts. Despite the struggles, Earlham led for most of the early stages of the first half, before relinquishing the advantage with 4:46 remaining on the clock. 

The Spantans scored a 15-2 run during the final five minutes of the half which propelled them ahead after taking the lead. Earlham netted a pair of jumpers in the final minute and trailed by six going into the locker rooms. 

The Quakers came out of the break firing on all cylinders and with a 21-4 run in the opening 10 minutes of the frame, took the lead back. At the 6:46 mark of the second half, it was Earlham who held a 6-point lead, piggybacking off of Vanlandingham's 3-pointer accuracy. 

Undeterred, the Spartans rallied back and tied the score at 62 just over two minutes later. Heading into the final minute, Manchester led 71-67 with the Quakers attempting a final rally. Earlham had opportunities for shots after fouling Manchester to stop the clock, but missed three 3-point shots in the final minute of action while the Spartans made enough free throws to hold onto the lead. 

Earlham's next contest will be a road game at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology on Wednesday at 7:30 pm in Terre Haute.