Jackets' Comeback Bid at Manchester Falls Short

N. MANCHESTER, Ind. – Defiance was unable to snap Manchester’s 23-game HCAC winning streak, falling to the Spartans 67-61 on Wednesday, January 23. The Jackets fall to 2-6 in the HCAC, dropping their third straight decision.

Trailing by as many as 16 points in the second half, DC climbed its way back into the game with a 10-0 run late in the contest. Sarah Bird jumpstarted the spurt with two free throws at the 3:56 mark to cut Manchester’s lead under ten points. On DC’s next possession the senior guard connected with Holly Stein, who knocked down her third trey of the night to draw within six points. A put back by Amber Bailey and a Bird trifecta put Defiance one possession away from knocking off the HCAC-leading Spartans.

After a Manchester timeout, the Spartans turned to All-HCAC guard Sarah Bose, who converted a traditional three-point play to end the Jackets’ attack and secure the victory.

Bird led Defiance with 15 points and four assists, knocking down three three-point field goals on the night. The five-foot, seven-inch senior moves into sixth place on DC’s career three-point field goal list with 93 over her four seasons with the Jackets. Bailey recorded her sixth double-double of the season, tallying 13 points and 14 rebounds to go along with her two blocks and two steals. Stein was the only other DC player to reach double-figures in scoring with 11 points, while also pulling down six boards in the game.

Defiance (6-9) returns to the Karl H. Weaner Center, when it hosts Hanover College on Alumni Day this Saturday, January 26. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.