Cincinnati, Ohio – The Mount St. Joseph women's basketball team held their ground at home on Saturday, January 4, battling to a thrilling HCAC win against the Manchester Spartans. The victory improves the Lions' conference record to 3-2.
The matchup tipped off at 3 PM in the Harrington Center, and the Lions showed grit and determination from start to finish. Manchester's Abigail Rosenkrans led her team's effort, with additional contributions from other Spartans keeping the contest close throughout.
For the Lions, senior Madison Drummonds delivered a standout performance, commanding the paint with authority. She led the team with 14 points, including two clutch free throws to seal the win in the final moments. Fellow post-player Hailey Guingrich also contributed 14 points, while guard Morgan Jenkins added nine. Key hustle plays from Jordan Patterson, Anyiah Murphy, and Karlee Mills provided the spark the Lions needed to maintain their edge.
The Lions held a 29-23 lead at halftime but faced a resurgent Manchester squad in the second half. Both teams traded baskets in a back-and-forth battle that saw no significant lead emerge. Foul trouble added to the drama late in the game, with both teams entering the double bonus. However, Drummonds' composure at the free-throw line secured the Lions' hard-fought victory.
Up Next: The Lions will host the Rose-Hulman Fightin' Engineers on Wednesday, January 8, at 7:00 PM in the Harrington Center.
