NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. – The Manchester University women's basketball team knocked off visiting Concordia University Chicago by a final score of 66-59 in the team's home opener on Wednesday, November 22. 

Concordia Chicago scored first, putting two points on the scoreboard with 8:46 on the clock in the opening quarter of Wednesday's game. The Cougars and Spartans battled back-and-forth, but Concordia Chicago would take a 18-16 at the end of the first quarter. The Spartans scored 15 points while holding the Cougars to just eight points in the second quarter to take a 31-26 lead at halftime.

Manchester shot 50% in the third quarter to take a 47-43 lead going into the final quarter of the contest. The Spartans extended their lead by as much as 11 points, but the Cougars would battle back to bring the game within two points with just over a minute left to play in the fourth quarter. Five made free-throws and a solid defense would put the Spartans on top 66-59 at the end of the game. 

As a team, the Black and Gold shot 39.6% (19-48) from the field during Wednesday's contest. Manchester scored 19 points off of Concordia Chicago's 23 turnovers, and narrowly outrebounded the Cougars 38-36. 

Two Spartans finished in double digits on Wednesday afternoon. Hailee Kline (Huntington, Ind., Blackhawk Christian) led with 22 points, while Jay'ana Blakely (Westville, Ind., Marquette Catholic) had 15 points. Maddi Smith (Kewanna, Ind., Caston), Mia Shields (Arcadia, Ind., Hamilton Heights), and Kendal Rider (Otterbein, Ind., Lafayette Central Catholic) each added eight points. Madison Stamm (Fortville, Ind., Anderson Prep) and Smith each pulled down a team-high seven rebounds for the Black and Gold. Kline and Rider had three steals apiece. 

The Cougars were led by Alexis Desjarlait with 15 points and Khaliah Reid with 14 points. Nazuri Whigham and Mirakle Anderson had six rebounds apiece. Concordia Chicago falls to 2-3 overall on the season. 

With the win, Manchester improves to 2-2 overall and will host Kalamazoo College on Saturday, November 25 for another non-conference matchup in Stauffer-Wolfe Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.