Hanover, Ind. - Manchester Women's Basketball dropped a 76-69 HCAC decision at Hanover on Saturday afternoon, battling back repeatedly after a slow start but never quite getting over the hump.

The Spartans fell behind early as Hanover opened the game hot, taking the first quarter 25-14 behind a flurry of transition chances and pressure-induced turnovers. Manchester steadied itself in the second, tightening defensively and pushing pace the other way to win the period 19-14 and cut the halftime deficit to 39-33. Abi Rosenkrans orchestrated the response, creating looks for teammates and attacking the paint as Manchester piled up assists and fast-break points.

Manchester kept it within striking distance in the third (Hanover 15-14), then made its best push in the fourth. The Spartans poured in 22 points over the final 10 minutes and briefly trimmed the gap to three after Kinsey Atkins knocked down a key three with 6:34 left to make it 59-56. Hanover answered with timely baskets and free throws down the stretch, preserving the win.

Rosenkrans led Manchester with 19 points on 7-of-18 shooting, adding six rebounds and six assists with zero turnovers. Atkins finished with 13 points, four assists, two steals, and a block, while Hannah Holmes was efficient inside with 12 points on 6-of-8 shooting plus seven rebounds and a block. Kayla Gibbs chipped in seven points and three assists, and Kendal Rider added four points and four assists.

As a team, Manchester shot 29-of-61 (47.5%) and totaled 23 assists, generating 28 points in the paint and 17 on the fast break. The difference came at the line and in the turnover battle: Hanover attempted 23 free throws (17 made) and Manchester was forced into 22 turnovers, which helped Hanover control the final minutes.