DC Downs Beavers with Three-Point Assault

BLUFFTON, Ohio – C.J. Johnson kick started a sweltering Yellow Jacket attack from beyond the arc on Wednesday, draining his first three attempts from long distance to boost Defiance to a 9-0 lead out of the gates. DC never looked back and moved to 2-0 in HCAC play with an 86-70 victory over Bluffton.

The Jackets led from wire to wire for the second-straight game and never allowed Bluffton closer than nine points after taking a 14-3 lead on a Heath Armstrong jumper at the 15:29 mark in the opening half.

Defiance sank 12-of-22 attempt from three-point range and connected on 58.6 percent of its shots from the field to hand Bluffton its first loss inside Founders Hall since Feb. 4, 2006.

Johnson was on target all night, as the senior guard hit 10-of-18 from the floor and sank eight threes in 11 attempts to end with a game high 30 points. Johnson added four steals and is averaging 27 points and 3.5 steals per game over his last four.

Anthony Jackson complimented Johnson’s barrage by tallying 15 points on five-of-seven shooting and dishing out five assists and Anthony Pettaway earned his first double-double of the season with 13 points, 12 rebounds and three steals.

Armstrong continued his strong play of late, ending with eight points and Nick Sales managed eight points and six rebounds despite logging only 18 minutes due to foul trouble.

DC distributed the ball well all night, collecting a season best 19 assists. Deon Thompson did much of the damage by passing out seven helpers in 11 minutes of action.

The Jackets (4-3, 2-0 HCAC) will travel to Hanover (6-1, 2-0 HCAC) on Saturday for an early-season showdown between two of the top teams in the Heartland Conference. Tip is set for 3:00 pm and will follow the Lady Jackets and Lady Panthers at 1:00 pm.