Manchester University
Oak Leaves

November 20, 2015

Women's Basketball Overview

Compiled by Tanner Forsythe, Kody Smith and Zach Newcomer

Quick Facts

  • Jocelyn Hamilton is entering her first season as assistant coach for Head Coach Josh Dzurick. She was a 2012-15 Spartan standout, compiling a record 147 single-season assists. 
  • Manchester is projected to finish sixth in the HCAC preseason poll. The squad finished fifth last season, earning a spot in the conference tournament. 
  • Senior Katie Arterburn made 61 three-pointers last season, the third-highest single-season total in school history and the most since 1995-96. She led the conference by making 2.3 3-point shots per game while ranking 5th in 3-point field goal percentage.

Three Key Players

  1. Katie Arterburn, Senior, Guard:The sharp-shooting guard from Indianapolis returns after an impressive 10.6 points per game and 39.9 percent behind the arc. She earned Second Team All-HCAC last season. 
  2. Justine Kruger, Senior, Guard: The 5-7 guard from Francisville, Indiana, averaged 3.6 rebounds per game and stole 36 passes last year. She also averaged 7.7 points per game, the third most on the team. 
  3. Samantha Bolen, Sophomore, Forward: The Greenwood, Indiana forward looks to improve her impressive first-year numbers – 3.8 points per game and three rebounds per game.

Games of Interest

  1. Dec. 5 vs Hanover College:Manchester split both games last season with the Panthers. The Spartans won the matchup at home last season. Hanover is projected to finish third this season in conference. 
  2. Jan. 13 at Bluffton College: Both teams split the two matchups during the regular season. Manchester lost a heartbreaker at Bluffton 54-53, but won revenge 64-55 a month later. Bluffton is picked to finish second in the HCAC this season.
  3. Jan. 16 vs Transylvania University: The Pioneers are projected to finish first in the HCAC standings this season. The Spartans lost by less than ten in both contests last season, hoping to shock the conference favorites this season.

Points of Concern

  1. Offense: Four of MU’s top six scorers graduated last year. The Black and Gold shot only 58 percent from the charity stripe, while their opponents shot 73.4 percent. MU also lost its top two players in assists per game.
  2. Rebounding: The top two Spartan rebounders graduated last year (Smith 162, Hammond 132). Kruger is the top returning rebounder with 83 grabs last season.