Manchester Basketball fell 82-94 to the Sheffield Hatters in the Super League Basketball Women’s Championship.

Tiarra East led the way for Manchester with 22 points and 5 rebounds, shooting 7-16 from the field. She was one of four Manchester starters to score in double figures.

East was backed by 15 points and 6 rebounds from Frannie Hottinger, Maaja Bratka, who had 14 points and 8 boards, and Veera Pirttinen, who also scored 14.

Manchester battled for 40 minutes to push the league leaders all the way, but ultimately it wasn’t their night. Down 14 at the half, the hosts won the third quarter by six to make it a game with 10 minutes to play.

Bratka hit a shot from inside the arc to make it a five-point difference early in the fourth quarter, and despite a response from Sheffield, Manchester rallied and made it a one-score game thanks to a bucket from Eva Karasaite.

That was, unfortunately, as close as Mancheter got to taking the lead, as the Hatters dug deep and went on a late run to secure the win down the stretch.

The result means Manchester fall to 7-9 in the SLBW Championship.

Next, they play the Caledonia Gladiators on the road on Sunday, April 19, with the game starting at 4pm.

Manchester then conclude their regular season away to the Essex Rebels on Saturday, April 25 at 4pm.

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