DC Starts Season with Victory over Olivet

OLIVET, Mich. – Defiance opened its 2008-09 campaign on a high note, cruising to a 78-59 victory over Olivet College on Saturday, November 15. The Jackets have now won their last three season-openers, a streak that dates back to a 68-66 win over Albion in 2006.

Olivet had control of the game early, but the DC defense cranked up the pressure to take over the game. Holly Stein scored five consecutive points to jumpstart a 10-0 run by the Jackets that put Defiance up 19-16 with 8:36 left in the first half. Stein scored 13 of her game-high 18 points in the half, as DC took a 43-36 advantage into the break.

Defiance stayed hot in the second half, pushing its lead to as much as 25 in the period. The Jackets continued to disrupt the Olivet offense, holding the Comets to 33 percent shooting and forcing 16 turnovers in the final stanza to close out the victory.

DC had four players reach double-digits in scoring, while knocking down 12 trifectas over the course of the game. Katie McNamara scored all 15 of her points from beyond the arc, while leading the Jackets with six boards and four steals. Shavonda Price scored 12 points off the bench in her collegiate debut, while sophomore Tasha Stucke tallied 10 points and four rebounds.

Defiance (1-0) returns to action on Tuesday, November 18, when it travels to Mount Vernon, Ohio for matchup with NAIA opponent, Mount Vernon Nazarene. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.