Yellow Jackets Unable to Hang on in 69-62 Loss to Manchester

NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. – The Defiance College women's basketball team fell to Manchester College 69-62 on Wednesday night in North Manchester, Ind.

Defiance fell behind early as the Spartans took a 7-4 lead in the opening minutes of the first period. It would take only moments before Shelby Stamm went to work, connecting on two lay-ups and a free-throw to improve the score to 9-9. Lauren Rogers added to the DC run, nailing a pair of three's to finish the first quarter with a slim 19-18 lead.

With 6:22 remaining in the second period, a Haley Farris lay-up gave the Spartans a seven-point advantage before Sam Ervin would go on a nine-point run to equalize the game at 30 apiece. DC headed into the half trailing 35-32.

The back and forth battle would continue into the third period as neither team led by more than five points throughout most of the quarter. DC hit a dry spell with the clock ticking away, going nearly two minutes without a bucket, down 53-47 at the end of three.

Ervin kept Defiance within striking distance, notching a lay-up and a pair of free throws to make it a five point game at 58-53 with 4:31 to go. Coupled baskets from Whitney Schalk and Kalyn Pickens were not enough to overcome the Spartans and the Yellow Jackets would fall 69-62.

This brings Defiance to an overall record of 5-13, 3-8 in HCAC action.

The Yellow Jackets were led by Ervin with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Rogers added 12 points, 11 rebounds and three assists while Stamm added 11 points and seven rebounds. Schalk led the team in assists with 10.

The women are back in action this Saturday as they travel to Franklin, Indiana for a 2:00 PM matchup with Franklin College.