DC women fall short to Madonna on Wednesday

DEFIANCE, Ohio – The Defiance Yellow Jackets battled early but were turned away down the stretch as the Madonna Crusaders completed a 68-57 win over DC at the Karl H. Weaner Center on Wednesday.

Defiance enjoyed a strong start sparked by San'Taizia Thomas, who picked up to early buckets and assisted one another to Ali Mowen after tracking down an offensive rebound. The Crusaders overcame poor shooting in the first two quarters with their 3-point shooting, which saw them make 6 of their first 9 field goals from long range. The Yellow Jackets led 28-27 with 3:51 left in the first half after back-to-back treys by Ali Mowen and Shaunie Little, but Madonna's seventh 3-pointer of the half pushed them in front before the break.

Tied 41-41, Madonna canned a go-ahead 3-pointer followed by a DC turnover that led to two more free throws to run out to the lead. Madonna opened up a 9-point lead two times down the stretch before eventually opening it up to as many as 13 in the closing moments. Defiance crept back as close as four after a 3-point play and layup by Kayla Houston during the third. While the Crusaders struggled at the free throw line, they overcame that deficiency with 23 offensive rebounds to win the battle on the boards 52-39.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• The Yellow Jackets napped a five-game drought scoring under 50 points and finished shooting over 30 percent for the first time in five games as well. DC's 35 percent effort from the field was its best since Dec. 1
• Turnovers and rebounding proved costly for the Jackets as the team turned the ball over 22 times and were out-rebounded for the 12th time this season.
• Shaunie Little led the Jackets with 14 points and made a pair of 3-pointers. 
• San'Taizia matched her career-best in scoring with 9 points.
• The foul-out bug nabbed four Yellow Jackets in the fourth quarter with Taylor Haynes, Jourdyn Wynn, San'Taizia Thomas and Shaunie Little all fouling out.
• Madonna struggled at the free throw line shooting just 13-for-26 for the game, but went 8-for-15 in the fourth quarter. This was balanced out by the Crusaders' 9 3-pointers in the game.
• Madonna's Lizzy Liedel led all scorers with 18 points. 

UP NEXT
The Yellow Jackets hit the road on Sunday for an afternoon contest against the Aquinas Saints, which is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Sturrus Center.

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