Women’s Basketball loses Senior Night game to Manchester

DEFIANCE, Ohio - The Defiance College women's basketball team celebrated their four seniors prior to tonight's game - Teagan Hunt, Aliza Clark, Kaiya Albert, and Katlin Barrett. However, Manchester spoiled the recognition night and led from start to finish for a 73-51 win Tuesday night at the Karl H. Weaner Center. 

The Spartans improve to 7-17 overall and 4-13 in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference with the win and the Yellow Jackets fall to 0-24 overall and 0-17 in the HCAC. 

TURNING POINT

With the game tied at two just 83 seconds into the game, the Spartans scored the next seven in a row and seemed to ride that momentum throughout the rest of the game as the Yellow Jackets were unable to overcome the early deficit. Manchester slowly started to build on their lead throughout the game. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

The two teams traded baskets to start the game which gave the game its only tie throughout. Manchester scored the next seven points to take a 9-2 lead. Despite shooting 50 percent from the floor in the opening period, turnovers were costly for the Yellow Jackets in the opening period. DC turned it over six times which led to nine Manchester points. The Spartans also did massive damage on the boards and scored seven second chance points which propelled them to a 22-11 lead after one. 

The Yellow Jackets struggled from the floor in the second quarter but were only outscored by four, 16-12. Despite making just 3-of-14 field goal attempts, two of them were three pointers and DC converted five of their six free throws attempts to limit the cold shooting damage. Karrie Smith started the quarter with a three but the Spartans answered by scoring the next five to halt any potential momentum. Manchester cooled off in the second quarter as well, but was still in control and led by 15 entering the break. The Spartans led by as many as 18 in the first half. 

Manchester started the second half on an 8-0 run to extend their lead to 23. Kendal Rider hit back-to-back from downtown during the run. A layup by Kaiya Albert gave the Yellow Jackets their first points of the quarter just under three minutes into the half. Midway through the quarter, the teams traded baskets again but the Spartans still held a 21-point lead and led by as many as 26 in the quarter. 

Manchester took their biggest lead of the game, 28, with 4:02 remaining in the game with a three by Kinsey Atkins. The Yellow Jackets would score seven of the final eight points of the game but it was not enough as both teams scored 16 points in the final quarter. During those final four minutes, the Yellow Jackets got buckets from Aliza Clark and Teagan Hunt and two free throws by Zadria King. 

BRINGING THE STING

• Aliza Clark and Zadria King both finished with 10 points to lead the team.

• King also led the team in rebounds with seven and assists with four. 

• Addy Allen added nine points off the bench. 

• Teagan Hunt attempted a career-high 12 shots and blocked a shot for the first time this season. 

• Maile Misleh-Cowan made her first collegiate basketball appearance and pulled down one rebound.

• Taylor Bates tied a season and career-high with four steals. 

UP NEXT

The Yellow Jackets close out their season Friday night (Feb. 16) on the road at rival Bluffton at 6 p.m. Friday night's game is a doubleheader with the men's team.