Anderson’s Rally Falls Short on Senior Night

The Anderson University women's basketball team (10-14, 7-10) trailed Manchester University (8-14, 5-10) by 20 in the third quarter. Anderson managed to cut the deficit to four, but fell short 82-76 during Friday's Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) matchup in O.C. Lewis Gymnasium.

Prior to the contest, the Ravens recognized their three senior players Cassie Pallett, Payton Moore, Lexi Dellinger as well as their two athletic trainers Kaycie Gates and Maggie Kolenic.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Manchester jumped out to a 10-3 lead in the first two minutes with Manchester's first eight points coming from Eva Bazzoni.
• Anderson took its first lead, going ahead 13-12 after an 8-0 run. Carly Holley contributed five points to the run.
• Three more lead changes occur in the first quarter. Manchester settles into a 26-21 lead to end the first quarter.
• The Ravens cut their deficit to 26-25 following consecutive baskets from Lexi Dellinger and Cassie Pallett.
• Bazzoni hit a 3-pointer with 8:01 left in the second quarter to put the Spartans ahead by four.
• Starting with 4:42 to go, Manchester put together a 13-2 run to end the half, entering halftime with a 49-32 lead. Bazzoni scored 26 points in the half.
• Anderson begin to chip away at the lead. Dellinger drained a 3-pointer to end the third quarter. Manchester held a 62-52 lead.
• With Manchester leading 66-56, Reece Colclesser and Makynlee Taylor each made a free throw to cut the lead to eight. Dellinger then knocked down a 3-pointer with 5:30 to go to make the score 66-61.
• Alysa Pfeil made a basket to put the Spartans ahead by seven. Taylor then knocked down a 3-pointer to make the score 68-64 with 4:23 to go.
• Bazzoni and Dellinger traded baskets, followed by a trade with Macy Miller and Pallet to make the score 72-68 with 2:33 to go.
• Delayne Sanchez hit a shot for the Spartans to put them ahead by six. After the Ravens came up empty on the next possession, Bazzoni provided a critical 3-pointer to put the Spartans ahead by nine with 1:31 to go. With time winding down, the Ravens could only come within four before the time expired with a score of 82-76.
• Bazzoni closed the contest with a team-high 36 points.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Manchester converted 31-of-66 (47.0 percent) shots from the field and 7-of-15 (46.7 percent) attempts from 3-point range. Anderson hit 28-of-66 (42.4 percent) attempts from the floor and 8-of-23 (34.8 percent) shots from the perimeter.
• Both teams were limited in turnovers as the Ravens committed nine turnovers and the Spartans 10 turnovers.
• The Ravens powered to a 17-6 advantage on fast-break points.
• Manchester put together a 40-35 advantage on the boards.
• The Ravens outscored the Spartans 16-11 off turnovers.
• Anderson held a 12-4 advantage in second-chance points.
• Lexi Dellinger – 21 points, 2 blocks
• Jade Shipley – 15 points
• Cassie Pallett – 11 points (Career High)
• Makynlee Taylor – 9 points, 8 rebounds
• Reece Colclesser – 9 points
• Carly Holley – 7 points, 2 blocks
• Allison Shaffer – 4 points

COACH JON GIN'S COMMENTS

It was an emotional and tough night celebrating our seniors. It was a rough first half, but I'm proud of how our team made a push in the second half. I'm so thankful that we were able to celebrate the impact our three seniors have made over the past four years. We missed having Payton on the court, but I'm incredibly proud of how she led from the sidelines, encouraging and supporting her teammates. Lexi and Cassie led the charge in the second half to put us into a position where we could win the game. I wish we could have pulled out the dub for them, but I'm proud of the efforts they made and the tremendous leaders they are.

UP NEXT

Anderson is set to compete in the HCAC Quarterfinals as the No. 6 seed. The Ravens battle third-seeded Hanover College (13-9) on Sunday at 3 p.m. in Hanover.