ALBION, Mich. – The Albion women's basketball team walked off the Kresge Gymnasium court a frustrated group after a 42-40 setback to Manchester University.

Albion made one of its first 11 shots as Manchester built an early 15-3 lead. Manchester held a 26-13 lead at halftime and the Spartans maintained a double-digit lead four minutes into the second half.

Mikaela Bromley and Bailey Tuttle came off the bench to score nine points as Albion reeled off a 16-5 run. Emily DeWaters sank a basket as Albion forged a tie at 35 with 4:43 left in the game. Albion seized a 37-36 lead when Brett de Bear made a pair of free throws.

Manchester recovered, however, as Katie Arterburn connected for a 3-point basket that gave the Spartans a 39-37 lead.

Albion forged a tie at 39 when Tuttle made a shot with less than two minutes left.

The teams traded scoreless possessions until Erynn Meiklejohn buried a 3-point shot from the corner on Manchester's final possession.

Albion had an opportunity to tie when first-year guard Olivia Savage was fouled attempting a 3-point shot with 0.5 seconds left. Savage made one free throw as the Britons completed the first half of the season with a 4-8 record.

Bromley led Albion with nine points. Tuttle and de Bear added eight points apiece.

"We put ourselves in position to win but we didn't finish," Albion Coach Doreen Carden said.

Albion, which finished the first half of the season with a 4-8 record, will break for the New Year's Day holiday. The Britons' next game is a Jan. 8 date with Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association rival Alma College.

"We have seven days off," Carden said. "This break will allow us to spend time with family and come back refreshed."