BLUFFTON, OHIO – A 40-minute thrill ride that saw both sides hold the lead four times and included six ties went down to the final seconds Wednesday, Jan. 21.
Unfortunately, for visiting Manchester University (8-8 overall, 5-4 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference), Bluffton University of Ohio's Macey Sheerer didn't allow the Spartans to wind up the league's first half on a high note. The freshman guard, completing a full-court advance by the host team in the final 4.5 seconds, hit the game-winning jumper with no time remaining to conclude a 54-53 cliffhanger.
Manchester University (8-8 overall, 5-4 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference) appeared headed for a different result inside the Sommer Center. The Spartans, entering the evening having won five of their last six, battled back from a five-point deficit late in the first half, using a 15-6 run that opened the second frame to forge a 37-29 advantage with just over 12 minutes left. The visitors continued to hold the lead all way down until the final minute when Sheerer and BU (11-5 overall, 6-3 HCAC) managed to overturn the final verdict.
Senior guard Alyssa Smith (Bluffton, Ind.) registered a second straight double-double to lead the Black and Gold. Smith tallied 11 points on four-of-12 field goal and three-of-four free throw shooting and grabbed five offensive and six defensive boards for 11 rebounds. It was her seventh double-digit point and third double-figure rebounding contest. Smith also managed to wrestle away a team-high three steals. The senior duo of guard Jocelyn Hamilton (Columbus, Ind.) and center Alyssa Hammond (Osgood, Ind.) were just off double-digit scoring with Hamilton tallying nine points to go with two assists and two steals, while Hammond finished the night with eight points and five rebounds.
The Spartans open the second half of HCAC play Saturday, Jan. 24. Earlham College comes to Stauffer-Wolfe Arena for a 2 p.m. tip-off.
NOTES: Smith's recent successes have helped her scoring average jump five-tenths (6.7 – 7.2) and rebounding average rise eight-tenths (4.9 – 5.7). She's also reeled off four straight multiple-steal efforts … Plenty of excitement could be on the second half HCAC menu. Going into the weekend, six teams are separated by one game with a three-way jam for second and a three-way tie for fifth, of which MU is currently entrenched, on the standings.