Manchester Grinds Out Conference Win Against Yellow Jackets

N. MANCHESTER, Ind. – The Defiance College women's basketball team fell in a low-scoring, defensive struggle against Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference opponent Manchester, 41-34. Sophomore Erica King led Defiance with nine points.

The Yellow Jackets took the first lead of the game with four points right out of the gate. Sophomore Hannah Harshman and junior Kim Comden scored the early points for Defiance.

An 11-1 run by Manchester starting at 16:43 and going to the 11:44 mark brought the momentum to the hosts. The Spartans then used a 10-3 run over the final five minutes of the half to go into the break leading, 25-16.

Defiance cut the Manchester lead to seven points, 27-20 with 14:57 on the clock after field goals by junior Rachel Ciminillo and Harshman. DC couldn't trim the deficit to fewer than six points until a three-pointer by King with 1:30 on the clock brought the Jackets within striking distance, 39-34. Manchester held off Defiance with a pair of free throws in the final seconds for the victory.

King added three rebounds, three assists and two blocks on the night. Harshman finished the game with eight points and a team-best eight rebounds. Comden and freshman Megan Fields both ended the game with five points.

Manchester, which improves to 14-6 overall and 10-3 in the HCAC, was led by 14 points from Erynn Meiklejohn.

With the loss, Defiance falls to 8-12 overall and 6-7 in the conference. Defiance outrebounded the Spartans, 38-35, and collected 12 offensive boards. DC held Manchester to 33% shooting and forced 13 turnovers.

The Yellow Jackets will return to action when they play host to HCAC foe Mount St. Joseph on Saturday, February 4 at 2:00 pm. The game can be watched live on the Yellow Jackets Sports Network at www.defianceathletcis.com/video/.