Yellow Jacket Offense Comes Alive in Double Overtime Thriller with Anderson

DEFIANCE, OHIO - The Defiance College women's basketball team saw four players land in double figures on Wednesday afternoon in a double overtime thriller with Anderson at the Karl H. Weaner Center. The Purple and Gold fell on a last second layup 75-74.

Defiance (3-9 overall, 2-3 HCAC) was led on the day by freshman Taylor Day (West Mansfield/North Union) and senior Sam Ervin (Bloomdale/Elmwood), both recording a double-double. Day finished the contest with 14 points and a team-best 11 rebounds, while Ervin added 10 points and 10 rebounds. Junior Shelby Stamm (Bellevue) led the scoring efforts for DC with a team-high 20 points and senior Lauren Rogers (Munger, Mich./Bay City Central) netted 12 points.

With just over 30 seconds remaining in regulation the Yellow Jackets found themselves trailing 62-60 after erasing a five point deficit to start the period. The Purple and Gold looked to Rogers and she provided as the senior showed poised hitting a layup in the lane to tie the contest at 62-62 forcing overtime. 

The excitement continued as the Ravens jumped ahead early in the first overtime connecting for a jumper outside the lane with 4:37 to play. However, DC responded as Stamm continued her hot shooting streak with a quick drive through the center of the lane to knot the contest at 64-64. The two teams exchanged points for much of the overtime period when Anderson connected on the back end of a free throw for the one point advantage. But again Rogers deemed clutch as she too made the back end of a free throw to tie the contest with 30 seconds remaining. DC would get one more chance in the final seconds as Stamm looked for a runner in the lane that fell short. 

In double overtime, Anderson again surged ahead quickly as back-to-back scores put them on top 71-67 with three minutes to play. Sophomore Kalyn Pickens (Fort Wayne, Ind./R. Nelson Snyder) made herself known as she connected for a free throw before knocking down a huge shot at the elbow to pull DC back within 73-70. Rogers would crank up the intensity as she connected for two free throws following a Ravens technical foul that put DC within striking distance with 29 seconds to play. The senior stepped up big for Defiance as she once again provided the clutch basket to put DC back on top 74-73 before a last second heartbreaking layup in the lane sealed the double overtime thriller for the Ravens.

Defiance finished the contest shooting 29-for-86 (33.7 %) from the floor including seven three-pointers. As a team, the Purple and Gold hauled in 47 rebounds while dishing out 16 assists.

The Yellow Jackets return to action on Saturday, January 5 as they play host to Transylvania. Tip off is set for 1:00 p.m.