NORTH MANCHESTER, IND. – Manchester University gave D3Hoops.com's No. 6-ranked Mount Union all it could handle throughout the day during the final game of the 2012 Banker's Classic Saturday, Nov. 17.
Junior forward Erynn Meiklejohn (Fort Wayne, Ind.) helped lead the charge for the Spartans. She scored 23 points on seven-of-nine shooting from the field and a nine-of-14 effort from the free throw line. Meiklejohn, earning all-tournament honors for the Black and Gold, added seven rebounds, a blocked shot, an assist and a steal.
Coach Josh Dzurick's Spartans, despite dipping to 0-2, held a 9-8 lead less than six minutes in and kept themselves within arm's length the remainder of the first half, trailing just 32-24 at the break. The Purple Raiders (2-0) increased the lead to as much as 17 midway through the second frame, but the Black and Gold continued to attack on offense, trailing by only 11 with 3:49 to play. An 8-3 stretch for the visitors closed the game out at a 66-50 final.
Freshman guard Hannah Field (Fort Wayne, Ind.) added seven points, two assists and two steals. Fellow freshman guard Katie Arterburn (Indianapolis, Ind.) finished with five points, two assists and two steals.
Mount Union put two players in double figures. Tournament Most Valuable Player Rosa LaMattina ended with 14 points, four assists and five rebounds. Aly Daniel contributed 12 points, while Tierney Allen grabbed 10 rebounds.
In the first game, Muskingum gave D3Hoops.com's No. 5-ranked Illinois Wesleyan a game effort, too. The Muskies, fresh off a 67-64 win over the host Spartans Friday's second game, jumped out to a 34-17 lead on the Titans. However, Illinois Wesleyan managed to even its record behind its patented stifling defense with a key second roll that led to an 80-67 win.
Alexys Settles and Tori Jarrett shared scoring honors for Muskingum (1-1) with 13 points each. Colleen McMahon led four Titans in double figures with 16 points helping her gain all-tournament honors. IWU also placed Shelby Jackson on the all-tourney squad, while Muskingum had Hannah Nelson and Karen Sidwell recognized.
Manchester University continues its robust early-season slate with a battle at top-ranked Calvin Tuesday, Nov. 20. Tipoff at Van Noord Arena on Calvin's campus is 5:30 p.m.