NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. - Manchester fell short against visiting Bluffton University by a final score of 47-46 in women's basketball action on Wednesday, January 31 in Stauffer-Wolfe Arena.

After being tied 11-11 at the end of the first quarter, the Spartans outscored the Beavers 14-10 in the second quarter to take a 25-21 lead at the half. 

Manchester extended their lead to nine at the end of the third quarter. Bluffton opened the fourth quarter with a 9-0 run to tie the score at 40-40 with less than seven minutes to play on Wednesday night. The Spartans and Beavers battled back and forth, tying the score again at 44-44 with 3:54 left on the clock. Bluffton pulled ahead by three, but a layup by Kendal Rider (Otterbein, Ind., Lafayette Central Catholic) brought the Spartans within one point with 20 seconds remaining in the second half. Manchester's defense would cause two more Bluffton turnovers in the final seconds of the game, but the Beavers would hang on Wednesday's game by a final score of 47-46.

Bluffton shot 34.7% (17-49) from the field and pulled down 31 rebounds on Wednesday night. The Beavers were led by Olivia Zender with 22 points and three steals. Katie Neuhart added 12 points and Lacie Fenstermaker pulled down eight rebounds. 

As a team, the Black and Gold shot 34.9% from the floor with 20 points in the paint and 12 points off turnovers. 

Abigail Rosenkrans (Pendleton, Ind., Pendleton Heights) led the Spartans with 12 points and eight rebounds, followed by Maddi Smith (Kewanna, Ind., Caston) with 11 points and eight rebounds. Mia Shields (Arcadia, Ind., Hamilton Heights) added eight points, while Rider collected three steals. 

Up next, Manchester women's basketball will travel to Hanover College to take on the Panthers in an HCAC men's and women's basketball doubleheader.