DEFIANCE, OHIO – Manchester University scored 16 of the game's first 19 points Wednesday, Dec. 4, and didn't look back en route to a win in its 2013-14 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference opener.

Facing Defiance College on the Yellowjackets' home court inside the Karl H. Weaner Center, MU bolted out to a 16-3 lead less than nine minutes in. DC (2-3 overall, 0-1 HCAC) closed within eight twice late in the half before the opening frame ended with MU (2-3, 1-0) holding a 26-14 edge. The second half started the same way as the first with a 13-3 Spartans' run, as Manchester University was off to a 61-40 victory.

Sophomore guard Katie Arterburn (Indianapolis, Ind.) and senior forward Erynn Meiklejohn (Fort Wayne, Ind.) topped a balanced Black and Gold attack with 14 points each. Arterburn's final total benefitted from a four-of-six effort from outside the arc, while Meiklejohn also led the squad on the boards (six rebounds), grabbed three steals and a blocked a Defiance College shot attempt.

Nine MU players made their way into the scoring column. Junior center Alyssa Hammond (Osgood, Ind.) had another productive night with nine points and five rebounds, and junior forward Abby Lang (Indianapolis, Ind.) and sophomore center Stephanie Barmes (Greenwood, Ind.) tallied six points each.

The Spartans resume their current three-game conference road trip with a key early-season battle at fellow HCAC unbeaten Earlham Saturday, Dec. 7.

NOTES: MU extended its series win streak to eight with the win. They've claimed nine of the last 10 against DC … Arterburn's scored in double figures in four of her last six games dating back to the end of 2012-13.