Manchester Basketball’s season came to a close in the Super League Basketball Women’s Playoff Quarter-Final in a hard-fought game against the Caledonia Gladiators.

The final score was 87-82 in favour of the Gladiators on their home floor after a battle down the stretch in the fourth quarter. Manchester led by 11 points going into the fourth, but was unable to get the game over the line.

Frannie Hottinger concluded her season with a double-double, putting up 21 points and 11 rebounds to lead Manchester. She went 8-13 from the field in an efficient playoff performance.

Maaja Bratka went off for 17 points and 7 rebounds, Tiarra East scored 16, and Jori Davis dominated the glass to grab 12 rebounds in the game.

But it wasn’t enough to overcome the second-placed league finishers, despite an incredible effort which gave Manchester the lead through three quarters. They consistently and efficiently widened their advantage through the fourth, dominating the glass for 30 minutes.

Manchester held Caledonia to only 12 points in the third to put themselves in a strong position to see the game out in the fourth. But in front of their home crowd, the Gladiators rallied late.

With six minutes left, it was a one-score game, and the team duelled it out down the stretch. Veera Pirttinen and Bratka hit big buckets as the score swung back and forth late, but Caledonia’s Tierra Hodges, who scored 23 points in the game, made plays to build the host’s lead.

Her free throws ultimately sealed the win, and ended Manchester's season.

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