By Ethan Stearns, sports information intern
NORTH MANCHESTER, Indiana–The Bluffton University women's basketball team fought hard on the way to a 74-64 win at Manchester University on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023. The Beavers improved to 12-4 overall and 5-3 in conference play. Manchester fell to 6-9 and 2-6 in the conference.
Zender had an outstanding performance as she led the Beavers with 13 points. The scoring for Bluffton was spread out as Smith and Fitzpatrick tallied 12 points apiece with Prigge adding 11 counters. Shardo and Fitzpatrick both dished out three assists in the victory. Smith continued to dominate the boards, pulling down a team-high six caroms.
The Beavers hit just 22-of-58 (37.9 percent) attempts, but they shot exceptionally well from beyond the arc, drilling 10-of-21 (47.6 percent) as Manchester also showed off from three, making 8-for-20 (40 percent). The Beavers were able to take advantage of 21 Manchester turnovers, scoring 21 points.
The Beavers hit the road again on Saturday, Jan. 21, when they head to Hanover. The women play after the men that day, tipping off at approximately 4 p.m.
