BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Manchester University women's basketball team was bested by the Bluffton Beavers by a final score of 62-59 on Tuesday, February 14. 

The Spartans jumped out to a five-point lead to begin Tuesday night's game, but the Beavers would tie the score up at 9 and 13 as time ran out in the opening quarter of play. Bluffton would narrowly outscore Manchester 18-15 in the first quarter. The Beavers would extend their lead to 9 points in the second quarter, but the scrappy Spartans would come back to take the one point lead with 4:20 on the clock. After a back-and-forth second quarter, a layup by Alyssa Pfeil (Goshen, Ind., Concord Community) tied the score up at 32 at halftime. 

Bluffton was able to hold Manchester to 12 points in the third quarter of Saturday's contest, outscoring the Spartans 20-12 to take the eight point lead entering into the final quarter of play. Manchester tied the game up at 54 apiece with 4:47 remaining in the game thanks to a 10-2 run to open the fourth quarter. After a back-and-forth battle, the Beavers took a three point lead with just 9 seconds left on the clock. Bluffton would hang on to win Tuesday night's game 62-59. 

Leading the way for the Beavers was Morgan Smith with 12 points. Lacie Fenstermaker finished the night with a double-double after scoring 10 points and pulling down 13 rebounds for Bluffton. As a team, the Beavers shot 37.3% from the field and 76.5% from the free throw line while pulling down 54 rebounds Tuesday night. The Beavers improved to 15-8, 8-7 HCAC. 

Jessie Ringen (Rensselaer, Ind., Rensselaer Central) led Manchester with 12 points and 8 rebounds. Hailee Kline (Huntington, Ind., Blackhawk Christian) added 11 points, while Ally Graber (Mooresville, Ind., Mooresville) and Maddi Smith (Kewanna, Ind., Caston) scored 10 points apiece for MU. Graber also added 8 rebounds for the Black and Gold. As a team, Manchester shot 33.3% from the field and 52.4% from the free throw line. 

Manchester, now 8-14, 4-11 HCAC, will conclude the regular season by hosting rival Anderson University on Friday, February 17. Tip-off between the Spartans and Ravens is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in Stauffer-Wolfe Arena.