LEXINGTON, Ky. - The Spartans fell short against nationally ranked Transylvania University in HCAC action on Wednesday, January 25 in women's basketball action. The Pioneers took Wednesday's game by a final score of 69-54 to improve to 18-0, 10-0 HCAC. 

Transylvania struck first, taking a 10 point lead with 4:54 left on the clock in the opening quarter of play. The Spartans would answer, cutting the lead down to 2 points thanks to a made jump shot by Ally Graber (Mooresville, Ind., Mooresville). Transylvania would take the 24-17 lead at the end of the first quarter. A layup by Maddi Smith (Kewanna, Ind., Caston) would tie the score up at 26 with 8:31 remaining in the second quarter. The Pioneers would answer, taking the 4 point lead at halftime. 

The Pioneers extended their lead to 9 points at the end of the third quarter of Wednesday afternoon's contest. The Spartans were unable to stop Transylvania's second half surge in the final quarter of play. The Pioneers would outscore Manchester 14-9 to take the 69-54 victory. 

Sydney Wright led the Pioneers with 18 points. Dasia Thornton finished the afternoon with 16 points and 14 rebounds for Transylvania. Madison Kellione scored 13 points while Kennedi Stacy added 12 points during Wednesday's game. Laken Ball had a team-high 3 blocks for the Pioneers. As a team, Transylvania shot 40.7% from the field, 30.0% from three-point range, and 64.0% from the free throw line. 

First-year Abi Rosenkrans (Pendleton, Ind., Pendleton Heights) finished the afternoon with a new career-high 17 points for the Black and Gold. Rosenkrans shot 8-9 from the field and added 1 block in 24 minutes of play for Manchester. Fellow first-year Ally Graber added 9 points and 5 assists during Wednesday's game, while Rosenkrans and Bridget Nash (Carmel, Ind., Bishop Chatard) chipped in 3 steals apiece. As a team, Manchester shot 35.5% from the field, 22.7% from three-point range, and 62.5% from the free throw line. 

Up next, the Spartans will host the Grizzlies of Franklin College in Stauffer-Wolfe Arena for an HCAC doubleheader on Saturday. The women will tip-off at 1:00 p.m. with the men to follow at 3:00 p.m.