Anderson Halts Manchester

The Anderson University women's basketball team halted Manchester University with a 55-39 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) victory on Wednesday in North Manchester.

"This was the best all-around game we have played in quite some time," Coach Lindsay Shade said. "Our defense was outstanding, we took care of the basketball and we rebounded the ball really well."

The Ravens (10-14, 6-11) converted 19-of-54 (35.2 percent) shots from the field and 6-of-14 (42.9 percent) attempts from the perimeter. Manchester (8-16, 5-12) was held to 12-of-51 (23.5 percent) shots from the floor and 5-of-21 (23.8 percent) attempts from the perimeter.

The Ravens hit 11-of-14 (78.6 percent) shots from the free-throw line while the Spartans made 10-of-17 (58.8 percent) attempts from the charity stripe.

Anderson outrebounded Manchester 45-35.

Payton Moore led the Ravens with 21 points and 14 rebounds. The 6-foot sophomore from Spiceland turned in 17 of her points in the second half.

Lexi Dellinger contributed six points and seven assists.

"We knew they were going to focus their defense around Payton and Lexi. Payton struggled to find her offensive rhythm in the first half, but they didn't have an answer for her in the second half. Lexi was incredibly unselfish. Manchester was committing two defenders to her on almost every possession and she did a good job of finding the open person."

Hanna Ault recorded 13 points and nine rebounds.

"Hanna may have played the most complete game of her college career."

Jade Shipley provided seven points and Mariah Clemons added four points. Carly Hackler scored three points while Kristin Dubois rounded out the Anderson scoring effort with one point.

With one game remaining, six HCAC teams are fighting for the final three bids to the HCAC Tournament. Bluffton University (13-11, 7-10) currently sits in fourth one game ahead of the remaining contenders. Anderson, Defiance College (7-17, 6-11), Earlham College (7-17, 6-11), Mount St. Joseph University (7-17, 6-11) and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (7-17, 6-11) are all tied for fifth.

Anderson hosts Mount St. Joseph in HCAC action on Saturday at 1 p.m. in O.C. Lewis Gymnasium. The Ravens will recognize seniors Hackler, Luke Martin and Audrey May.

"Saturday is a big day for our program. We will be honoring our seniors Carly Hackler, Audrey May and Luke Martin for their amazing perseverance and commitment to the program. We would love nothing more than to send those three off with a win and a trip to the postseason tournament."