January 10, 2001
By Doug Shoemaker, Manchester SID


The Manchester College women's basketball team fell to visiting Bluffton College 73-69 in HCAC action on Wednesday. The Spartans fall to 2-12 on the year, 1-2 in the HCAC as Bluffton improves to 7-6 on the year, 2-1 in the HCAC.

Manchester's Bridget Sanders led all scores with 21 points and 8 rebounds on the night, while teammate Missy Hoppe chipped in 19 points on 8-11 shooting from the floor and added 6 rebounds.

The Spartans were down 41-27 at the half, and down as many as 17 early in the second half before Manchester went on a 27-8 run giving them a 57-55 lead at the 7:00 minute mark. Manchester pulled ahead by 5 points with 3 minutes remaining before Bluffton's Kristy Crall sank two free throws giving Bluffton a one point lead with a minute to go. A made lay up by Manchester's Missy Hoppe, and two missed free throws by Manchester's Sam Wideman found the Spartans up by one 69-68, before Bluffton's Kristin Helvey nailed a three point shot from 25 feet to give the Beavers the lead for good.

Jen Bear led Bluffton with 18 points on the night, while Kristy Crall added 11, and Kristin Helvey and Elizabeth Snavely chipped in 10 points a piece. Snavely added 9 rebounds on the night.

Manchester returns to action Saturday as they host Defiance College for a 2 p.m. game, while Bluffton hosts Hanover for a 1 p.m. game.