KENOSHA, WIS. – The guard combination of junior Katie Arterburn (Indianapolis, Ind.) and senior Alyssa Smith (Bluffton, Ind.) each registered double digits scoring-wise, lifting Manchester University to the consolation championship of the 2014 Carthage College of Wisconsin tournament.
Arterburn, equaling a personal single-game high of 19 points, dropped in four of the Spartans' seven treys and was a perfect three-for-three at the free throw line to lead the way in a 60-54 decision over St. Mary's College of Indiana. Smith added 10 points to go along with seven rebounds, tying her for the team top spot with senior forward Abby Lang (Indianapolis, Ind.), and junior guard Justine Kruger (Francesville, Ind.) narrowly missed double figures, tallying eight points, four assists and three steals.
MU (4-6), stopping a four-game skid, jumped out to a 16-7 lead less than five minutes in. They built the advantage to as much as 13 in the second half, but St. Mary's (3-9) rallied to within three in the second stanza. The Spartans managed to open the margin back to 10 in the latter stages.
The Black and Gold return to Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference competition Saturday, Jan. 3, at Mt. St. Joseph University of Ohio.
NOTES: Arterburn's fifth of the season and 27th career double-figure point total helped her earn all-tournament honors. She averaged 11 points per game, hit four three-point buckets as part of seven made field goals and was four-of-five at the free throw line … Lang's seven boards were a single-game season high for the senior and her most in a game since late January of last year against Franklin College … Kruger continued to show consistency in regards to assists and steals, registering her sixth multiple assist and steal outing.