Slow Start Sinks Yellow Jackets in HCAC Action

DEFIANCE, Ohio – The Defiance College women's basketball team got off to a slow start Saturday afternoon in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference action as they fell to Franklin 73-61 at the Karl H. Weaner Center.

The Purple and Gold finished with three players in double figures led by junior Lauren Rogers (Munger, Mich./Bay City Central) with a team-high 15 points. Sophomore Shelby Stamm (Bellevue) added 13 points, while senior Whitney Schalk (Bellevue) chipped in 10 points.

Defiance (2-5 overall, 1-2 HCAC) found themselves trailing early in the first quarter as the Grizzlies opened the half on a 6-0 run. The Yellow Jackets slowly chipped away at the Franklin advantage as a jumper from junior Sam Ervin (Bloomdale/Elmwood) pulled DC within 10-8 with 4:14 remaining in the opening period. However, the Grizzle offense continued to fire on all cylinders as they closed out the first quarter on an 8-4 run to claim the 18-12 advantage.

Franklin turned up the intensity in the second period as a deep ball and a jumper in the lane extended the FC lead to 29-16 with 6:16 remaining. Defiance looked to get something going late in the period as junior Ashley Lee (Millington, Mich.) connected from down town to cut the deficit to 31-19 minutes later. Rogers also deemed clutch for the Yellow Jackets late as she capitalized on a Franklin turnover pulling DC within 35-21. The Grizzle offense delivered once more in the final minute to take the 37-21 halftime advantage.

The Franklin hot shooting continued for much of the third quarter before Rogers sank a shot from deep that halted another FC run pulling the Purple and Gold within 41-27 with 8:27 to play. However, the Yellow Jacket offense continued to struggle as back-to-back jumpers pushed the Franklin lead as time expired, 56-41.

The Purple and Gold erupted in the fourth quarter using an 8-0 run over a course of two minutes to cut the deficit to 59-51 with 7:06 to play. The Blue and Gold combated the DC charge once more as they strung together a run of its own to extend the lead and capture the win, 73-61.

Defiance returns to action Saturday, December 16 as they host HCAC opponent Hanover. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m.