Angstmann's second-half eruption leads DC but comeback falls short

DEFIANCE, Ohio - Freshman forward Evan Angstmann poured in 24 points during the second half of Wednesday's home finale but the Defiance Yellow Jackets could not overcome a slow start in a 74-63 loss to the Rochester Christian Warriors.

The Yellow Jackets (8-17, 5-14 WHAC) were unharmed in the conference race despite the loss and are tied with UM-Dearborn for the final spot in the tournament. The Warriors (18-9, 10-9 WHAC) inched closer to a top-6 seed to avoid the opening-round games.

After Defiance finished the first half shooting 25 percent and were 1-for-12 from outside the arc, Angstmann caught fire right out of the gates with two quick buckets to cut into the RCU lead. He went on the contribute 7 of the first 9 points after halftime. Despite trailing 35-20 at the break, the early scores helped DC extend a 14-7 run to climb back within double digits. Christian Burton also started to heat up by using his shifty speed to get to the bucket. The freshman guard converted two layups through visitor fouls to keep chipping away at the lead. 

Angstmann and Burton continued to step up when Defiance needed buckets. Angstmann nailed consecutive 3-pointers at the 13:01 and 12:24 marks to keep the Jackets within 10 points. After the Warriors pulled back in front by 14, Angstmann hit a layup and a triple to swing five points back in DC's favor with 8:22 remaining. Burton hit buckets to bring Defiance within six points on two occasions at 48-42 and a 3-pointer at 56-50 with 7:20 remaining. The tightest the deficit got was four points with 6:10 remaining when Donovan Stone sank a 3-pointer. 

THE TURNING POINT
Despite another furious comeback, the Yellow Jackets' surge was quieted when Rochester Christian's Brett White responded to Stone's 3-pointer with his own trey. RCU called a quick timeout after the bucket and closed out the game outsourcing Defiance 14-10. Two more big buckets were created by RCU's 6-foot-9 post James Fisher, who snagged offensive boards and stuck the ball back in the hoop.

Aside from the plays down the stretch, the opening minutes of each half set the tone. Defiance started the game in a 12-2 hole. The Warriors opened the game with makes on 6-of-9 attempts while DC started the contest 1-for-9. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Evan Angstmann had just two points in the first half but finished with a game-high and career-high 26 points. The St. Mary's Memorial grad added four 3-pointers and snagged six rebounds while also blocking three shots.
• Christian Burton also had a quiet first half for Defiance and closed the game with 14 points. Burton dished out six assists, his second-highest total this season.
• Jalen Brown scored double digits as well with 10. He buoyed the team's offense during the first half with eight points.
• Donovan Stone played significant minutes and got his first start in the last six games. He led the team with seven rebounds and scored seven points, all during Defiance's 43-point second half.
• Defiance was night and day from 3-point land after halftime. Following a 1-for-12 showing on one end of the gym, they shot 6-for-18 as a team in the second half.
• The Warriors got a lot of help at the free throw line, making 24-of-32 tries at the charity stripe, including 12-for-17 in the second half. Defiance went 6-for-12 at the line for the game.
• Defiance limited their turnovers to just seven, which was the fewest in a game this season. The Jackets forced Rochester Christian into 15 turnovers. 

UP NEXT
Defiance travels to Michigan-Dearborn for their final regular-season game of the season. The two squads will face off with the winner advancing to the WHAC Tournament, which begins on Tuesday. Tipoff against the Wolverines is scheduled for 3 p.m. at the UM-Dearborn Fieldhouse.

-JACKETS-