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TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology hosts its second straight in-state rival when Manchester University visits Hulbert Arena on Saturday at 5 p.m.
The Fightin' Engineers improved to 11-9 overall and 7-6 in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference play with an 85-52 victory over Earlham on Wednesday night. Rose-Hulman shot 72 percent in the second half, and Matt Loesing had his first career double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds to lead the performance.
Senior Corey Povaleri continues to lead the Rose-Hulman offense in scoring at 10.4 points per game. Loesing averages 10.2 points per contest, and juniors Jimmy Miller (9.7 ppg) and Tyler Duffy (9.2 ppg) provide starting depth. Sophomore Wade Stallings rounds out the lineup at 5.6 points per game, and sophomore Collin Wojcik provides bench scoring depth at 9.2 ppg.
Rose-Hulman has also relied on a team effort to lead the HCAC in field goal percentage defense (42.7 percent) and rank third in scoring defense (64.5 points per game).
Manchester stands 5-15 overall and 4-9 in conference play entering Saturday's matchup. The Spartans look to snap a three-game losing streak with their third road matchup in the last four contests. Matt Brown leads the Spartans in scoring at 17.3 points per game, Brady Dolezal adds 14.1, and Blake Brouwer reaches double figures at 11.5.
The all-time series between Rose-Hulman and Manchester is tied at 23-23, with the Fightin' Engineers winning the last seven meetings. Rose-Hulman won 55-54 at Manchester in December on a field goal by Loesing with two seconds remaining.
After Saturday's game, Rose-Hulman hits the road for Hanover College on Wednesday night.
