NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. - The Manchester University women's basketball team delivered a scrappy performance inside of Stauffer-Wolfe Arena on Saturday, January 28. The Black & Gold overcame an 12-point deficit in the second quarter and held on late for a gritty 68-67 victory over the Grizzlies of Franklin College. 

Franklin jumped out to an early lead, up by eight points with 5:13 left on the clock in the first quarter. The Spartans cut the deficit to just two points thanks to two made free throws by first year Maddi Smith (Kewanna, Ind., Caston). The Grizzlies would pull away, taking a 25-15 lead at the end of the opening quarter of play. Franklin extended their lead to 12 points to start the second quarter. Manchester fought their way back, tying the game up at 35 with 1:50 left to play in the first half. Franklin took the narrow two point lead at halftime.  

The third quarter was back-and-forth as the Spartans and Grizzlies tied the game up twice in a close third quarter. The Spartans were down by four entering into the final quarter of Saturday's contest. The score was tied at 58 with 7:14 left on the clock. A made jumper by Franklin put them up by one point with 1:56 left to play, but the Spartans would answer with a made jump shot by Abi Rosenkrans (Pendleton, Ind., Pendleton Heights) to take the one point lead with 1:36. Manchester's defense would hold off the Grizzlies to take the 68-67 victory. 

Senior Hannah Lindsey (Speedway, Ind., Speedway) led the Spartans with 20 points, shooting 8-10 from the field and 4-4 from three-point range. Rosenkrans added 14 points, while Ally Graber (Mooresville, Ind., Mooresville) had 12 points and a team-high 7 rebounds and 6 assists for Manchester. Mia Shields (Arcadia, Ind., Hamilton Heights) also chipped in 3 steals for the Black and Gold. As a team, Manchester shot 39.7% from the field, 45.5% from three-point range, and 63.2% from the free throw line. 

Jordan Coon led the Grizzlies with 26 points and 6 assists. Maddie Barnes chipped in 10 points, while Georgia Hanauer added 10 points for Franklin. CiCi Bailey finished the afternoon with a team-high 17 rebounds. As a team, the Grizzlies shot 38.3% from the field, 50.0% from three-point range, and 78.6% from the free throw line. 

Up next, Manchester women's basketball team will host Defiance College in Stauffer-Wolfe on Wednesday, February 1. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.