Jackets come up short in late comeback attempt against Blue Devils

DEFIANCE, Ohio - A fourth-quarter comeback attempt was cut short at the Karl H. Weaner Center on Wednesday night as the Lawrence Tech Blue Devils outlasted Defiance College 68-53. 

It was all Yellow Jackets (3-14, 1-9 WHAC) to start the game as they went up 7-2; both of the Blue Devils' (3-15, 1-9 WHAC) points came from free-throw shots. At the 3:55 mark of the first quarter, Lawrence Tech made a jump shot after missing all four of its first field goal attempts and giving up five turnovers, in turn, decreasing its deficit to three. The two battled it out for the remainder of the first period.

The back-and-forth jabbing continued into the second quarter, which saw three lead changes. Despite a 15-11 advantage after the first quarter, credit to a Creedance Chittenden layup — her first points for the Purple and Gold — the Blue Devils ended on top 26-25 heading into the locker room. Candyce Hollins, who led the Yellow Jackets last game in scoring, had the team-high five points, along with three rebounds and two steals at the break.  

Lawrence Tech never gave up its lead, increasing it throughout the third quarter. Congruently, Defiance never gave up fighting for it back. Only 17 seconds into the final period, the Blue Devils led 51-35. Taylor Haynes responded with a layup that found some momentum for the Yellow Jackets. In the middle of the quarter, DC went off on a 9-0 to shrink Lawrence Tech's lead to five as as many minutes remained. Chittenden contributed with seven of those points. 

Defiance's comeback was stopped short after five missed shots and 2-of-6 free-throw shooting in the final half of the fourth. 

THE TURNING POINT

As Defiance climbed close to tying the contest 54-49 with 5:04 left, a foul by San'Taizia Thomas sent Lawrence Tech's Maggie Long to the free-throw line for two. The Blue Devils went on to outscore the Yellow Jackets 11-4 in the remaining time. 

A CLOSER LOOK

• Creedance Chittenden scored her first points of her collegiate career, and ended the game with the team-high, 13

• Defiance outshot Lawrence Tech from 3-point range 36.4% to 35.7%

• The Yellow Jackets outrebounded the Blue Devils 42-32

• DC dominated second-chance points off Lawrence Tech's 23 turnovers

• Taylor Haynes, who won WHAC Defensive Player of the Week last week, continued her streak with three steals, a block and four defensive rebounds

UP NEXT

The Yellow Jackets return to their home court Saturday as they welcome Indiana Tech, who is No. 1 in the WHAC. This matchup will be followed by the men's teams. First tip is set for 1 p.m.

-JACKETS-