DC's second half rally comes up short against Lawrence Tech

DEFIANCE, Ohio - In need of another valiant comeback, the Defiance Yellow Jackets closed a 21-point deficit to one possession in the final minute of action but could not complete the task, losing 67-64 against the Lawrence Tech Blue Devils.

The Yellow Jackets (10-7, 5-7 WHAC) outscored the Blue Devils (10-6, 6-6 WHAC) 42-30 after halftime by shooting 43 percent in the half. Lawrence Tech was able to survive the second-half surge to snap its five-game losing streak in the process.

With Defiance trailing by 15 at the half, Lawrence Tech pushed the lead to 48-27 in just over 4 minutes to start the second half before DC started to chip away. Consecutive 3-pointers by Christian Burton and Donovan Stone quickly turned an 18-point hole into a 12-point deficit with 13 minutes to go. Baylen Blockberger sank another trey a minute later to shave the lead to single digits, and he struck again at the 9:19 mark to pull within 7. Lawrence Tech stabilized their offense through an offensive lull by making their free throws, but Stone delivered DC's sixth 3-pointer of the second half with 6:15 left in the game to make it a 3-point ballgame.

Both sides played to a 10-10 through the last 6 minutes of the game but the Jackets were able to pull as close as 2 points in the final minute. After a Wren Sheets basket for DC with 55 seconds to go, Lawrence Tech turned the ball over as Burton drew a quick foul while driving to the basket on the other end. That was one of two trips to the free throw line in the last 15 seconds that saw DC go a combined 2-for-4, matched by 2 misses at the stripe by the Blue Devils trying to seal the win. Defiance was forced to play for a 3-pointer after LTU's missed free throw with 8 seconds left but were unable to pull off the tie.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Lawrence Tech sweeps the season series with the win over Defiance, which was DC's closest margin of defeat this season.
• Defiance's 11 3-pointers were the fifth performance of the year with double-digit treys.
• Christian Burton's game-high 17 points were his 10th game scoring double figures this year and his sixth time leading the team in that category. His trio of 3-pointers also matched a career high.
• Donovan Stone posted 14 points highlighted by a season-best 4 3-pointers. 
• Baylen Blockberger had a strong game all-around with 8 points and made a pair of triples. He also matched the team lead with 6 rebounds.
• Evan Angstmann turned in a 9-point effort and matched Blockberger in boards. With 2 3-pointers in the game, Angstmann surpassed 100 career 3-pointers at Defiance.

UP NEXT
Defiance suits up against the Rochester Christian Warriors on Wednesday at Garth Pleasant Arena in a rematch of DC's overtime win earlier this season. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and will follow the women's contest starting at 5:30.

-JACKETS-