February 18, 2006
By Kate Barringer, sports information assistant

BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University women's basketball team (4-22, 2-12 HCAC) fell to Manchester College (18-7, 10-4 HCAC) 73-48, on Saturday February 18, 2006 in Founder's Hall.  With the loss the Beavers fall to 4-22 and 2-12 in the conference, the Spartans improve to 18-7 and 10-4 in the HCAC.  Turnovers plagued the Beavers as they gave up the ball 26 times compared to Manchester's 14.Manchester led for the whole contest as Bluffton made several runs at the Spartans but could not catch up.

Manchester came out playing tough netting six straight points which caused the Beavers to remain scoreless for the first three minutes in the game until a jumper by junior TANYA RICKENBERG (Paulding/Paulding) put Bluffton on the board. The Spartans then took a 15 point lead with 10:59 remaining thanks to an old fashoned three point play by STACEY WENDEL, who finished the game with 11 points. Bluffton battled back with 6:12 left when sophomore LINDSAY BUSH (Howard/East Knox) drove hard to the hoop and made a lay up to bring the Beavers within seven points. But the Spartans took over once again and went into half-time with a 21 point lead.

The Spartans continued their dominance and kept a comfortable lead for most of the second half. Bluffton was able to cut the lead to18 points with a lay up by sophomore ANGIE LEE (Mt. Blanchard/Vanlue) at the 16:29 mark. The Spartan's KELLEY MEIKLEJOHN, who finished the contest with a game high 13 points, drained her two three throws that kept the momentum with her team giving them a 20 point lead. It was not until the 9:29 mark that the Beavers slashed the lead to 16 points with a jumper by Rickenberg.  But stellar defense and missed opportunities continued for the rest of the second half as Manchester took the game by a final score of 73-48.

Sophomore ASHLEIGH STALLKAMP (Paulding/Paulding) led the Beavers with 10 points and two assist.  Both Rickenberg and freshman SARAH BRUNER (Wauseon/Pettisville) finished the game with eight points. Rickenberg managed to pull down seven boards. Sophomore AMANDA BELL (Napoleon/ Liberty Center) led the team with eight rebounds and scored six points. Lee also scored six points and added two assist. Senior KARIN SCHALLER (Jenera/Arlington) swatted away three shots for her last home game as a beaver and Bush also blocked three shots.

Bluffton will travel to Franklin on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 to battle the Grizzlies in the first round of the HCAC tournament.