NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. – Sophomore forward Macy Miller (Huntertown, Ind./Carroll) poured in a career-best 24 points as Manchester University dropped a hard-fought HCAC battle to visiting Hanover College 80-64 on Saturday afternoon in Stauffer-Wolfe Arena.

Miller went 7-14 from the floor and made 10-11 foul shot attempts to lead the Black and Gold on Saturday. Miller added a team-high seven boards.

The Spartans went toe-to-toe with the Panthers for the first 20 minutes of Saturday's game. Manchester and HC were tied 16-16 after the conclusion of the first quarter.

Trailing 34-26 with 2:47 remaining in the second period, the Spartans ended the half on an 11-2 run. The run was highlighted by an old fashioned three-point play by Miller, a 3-pointer by Hannah Lindsey (Speedway, Ind./Speedway) and a pair of free throws by Bridget Nash (Carmel, Ind./Bishop Chatard).

Manchester led by a point at the intermission 37-36.

Hanover turned up the pressure following the halftime break and the Panther defense was difficult to overcome. The visiting Panthers outscored the Black and Gold 44-27 in the third and fourth quarters.

The Spartans were held to 7-28 (25 percent) shooting following the intermission and went just 1-9 from 3-point territory over the final 20 minutes of action.

Hanover shot 19-35 (54.3 percent) in the third and fourth quarters and finished Saturday's game 33-61 from the floor.

Manchester (8-11, 5-7 HCAC) will travel to Defiance College on Wednesday February 5 for a 7:30 p.m. matchup with the Yellow Jackets.

The Panthers (12-6, 11-1) upped their current win streak to five games. Hanover is 8-1 over its last nine outings. The Panthers will host Franklin College at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday February 5.