By Tim Stried
December 4, 2002

Bluffton College led by as many as 26 points in the first half but saw host Manchester come all the way back to take a 62-61 win over the Beavers Wednesday night.

Bluffton went on a 23-0 run that spanned nine minutes in the first half that put the Beavers up 34-8 with 3:47 left before halftime. Manchester knocked that deficit down to 16 points at halftime as BC held a 38-22 lead at the intermission.

Manchester gradually chipped away at Bluffton's lead in the second half and took their first lead of the game at 60-59 with just 51 seconds remaining. BC junior Karen Harris, who scored a career-high 22 points in the game, gave the lead back to the Beavers with a layup with 35 seconds to go, but Manchester quickly gained the lead back for the game's final score at 62-61.

Bluffton falls to 0-5 overall and 0-1 in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference, while Manchester improves to 2-4 overall and 1-0 in the HCAC.

Manchester's second half comeback was aided by opportunities at the free throw line. In the first half the Spartans were 2-for-3 from the line, but in the second half Bluffton was whistled for 15 personal fouls, which sent Manchester to the line 24 times. The Spartans converted on 19 of those chances.

Harris added six rebounds and five steals to go along with her new high scoring total, while senior Melissa James tied her career high with 20 points. She collected seven rebounds and three steals, while senior Lyndsey Robinson chipped in 13 points and grabbed six boards.

Bluffton established new season highs in points (61), field goals made (24), field goal percentage (.429), free throw percentage (.714) and blocked shots (4). The Beavers out-rebounded Manchester 40-30.

Bluffton will travel to Hanover College Saturday at 1 p.m. with WDOH 107.1 FM bringing the live broadcast.