NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. – The hot start to the season for the Manchester University women's basketball team continued on Wednesday night. The Spartans knocked off the Defiance College Yellow Jackets by a final score of 68-58 inside of Stauffer-Wolfe Arena to begin Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference play.

The Spartans won their fourth straight game and are off to their best start since the 2006-07 season (team began 6-0 that season).

A short-handed Spartans squad overcame some early adversity against the Yellow Jackets en route to the come-from-behind win. Defiance outscored the Black & Gold 22-12 in the opening period after shooting a blistering 64.3 percent (9-14) from the field. The Yellow Jackets shot 3-5 from three over the game's first 10 minutes, while outrebounding Manchester 12-4.

The Spartans found their groove on both ends of the floor following the first period. Manchester outscored Defiance 17-9 in the 2^nd quarter. The Spartans defense limited Defiance to just 25 percent (3-12) shooting in the second frame. Manchester outscored the visiting Yellow Jackets by 17-13 and 22-14 tallies in the 3^rd and 4^th quarters en route to the 10-point victory. The Black & Gold shot 7-15 (46.7 percent) and 6-12 (50 percent) in the two periods following the intermission.

For the game, Manchester finished 23-54 (42.6 percent) from the field. The Spartans connected on 5 three-pointers while also connecting on 17 of 22 foul shot attempts (77.3 percent).

The Spartans converted 18 Defiance turnovers into 18 points in the win.

Every Spartan that played scored at least one point in the HCAC opener. Senior forward Macy Miller (Huntertown, Ind./Carroll) led Manchester with 17 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. Fellow senior Miranda Bieghler (Plainfield, Ind./South Putnam) added 15 points, 6 rebounds, 5 steals, and 5 assists in 40 minutes of action. Senior Bridget Nash (Carmel, Ind./Bishop Chatard) added 13 points and 5 assists in the win.

Defiance ended Wednesday's contest shooting 42.3 percent (22-52). DC made 6 three-pointers. McKenzie Cooper led three Yellow Jackets in double figures with 14 points on the strength of 6-7 shooting. Taylor Steinbrunner scored 13 points while Lexie Sparks scored 10.

Manchester (4-1, 1-0 HCAC) will look to extend its win streak this weekend when it travels to Earlham College for an HCAC matchup with the Quakers on Saturday December 4. Game time in Richmond is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Defiance (4-2, 1-1 HCAC) will travel to Franklin College on Saturday December 4.