Defiance Cruises to Victory at Holiday Tourney

CLEVELAND – Defiance blitzed Juniata with a 66-percent shooting clip in the first half to open up a double-digit lead at the half and coasted to a 79-56 win in the first game of the Case Western Holiday Tournament on Friday evening.

The Jackets led from the opening tip as Anthony Jackson drained a three just 22 seconds into the game and answered a Juniata three with another long-range shot one minute later to put DC in front for good at 6-3.

The Defiance lead would never sink below three from then on, swelling to as many as 12 on two occasions in the opening half before settling on a 10-point, 44-34, cushion at the break.

DC quickly put away any chance of a Juniata comeback in the second half by opening the frame on a 14-2 spurt to take control with a 58-36 lead. The spread hovered around the 20-point mark for the remainder of the way, with the Jackets pushing it to a game high 28-points on a Kasey Bodenbender three with 2:20 to play.

Juniata scored the game’s final five points, but it was far too little and too late as Defiance scored the 79-56 win.

The Yellow Jackets had the offense clicking all night long, shooting at a blistering 66-percent clip from the floor in the opening half and ending the night with a 57-percent mark as a team. DC also knocked in 10-of-23 three pointers and assisted 20-of-31 buckets.

Nick Sales turned in another stellar outing, connecting on nine-of-10 shots from the floor and ended the night leading all players with 20 points and nine rebounds in just 22 minutes of action.

Anthony Pettaway hit seven-of-11 field goals en route to 17 points and pulled down seven boards to go with a trio of steals and C.J. Johnson rounded out the DC players to crack double figures with 13 points behind three-of-four shooting from downtown.

Jackson hit three long-distance shots for nine points, Matt Muratori filled out the stat sheet with five points, five assists and five rebounds and Eric Stolly added six points.

The win was the fourth in a row for Defiance, as the Jackets improve to 8-2 on the year. DC will play for the tournament championship against the winner of Case Western and Illinois College on Saturday at 4:00 pm.