DC Pulls Out Victory Over Thomas More

CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky. – Defiance earned its first victory of the season, using an advantage at the free-throw line to escape with a 65-59 win over Thomas More.

C.J. Johnson, one of three Jackets to reach double figures for the game, knocked down four treys on his way to a game-high 23 points. Nick Sales added 11 points to go along with six boards, while Anthony Pettaway’s 11 points gave him his sixth-straight game in double figures dating back to last season.

DC raced out to a 9-0 lead in the opening minutes of the game behind the scoring of Johnson and Pettaway. The Saints fought back knotting the game at 16 on Mark Tinkelberg’s layup, but the Jackets countered with big shots towards the end of the half. Defiance showed why they never trailed in the first half, knocking down three straight trifectas shortly before the break to grab a 38-33 advantage.

DC maintained its lead throughout the first ten minutes of the second stanza, until Thomas More’s Eddie Brown capped off a 12-3 run to give the Saints their first lead of the game 51-50. Once again the Jackets had an answer as free throws by Johnson and Nate Helton and a layup by Sales gave Defiance a 54-51 lead with five minutes to go in the game.

A Tinkelberg trey gave Thomas More the lead once again 55-54 with three and half minutes remaining, but the Jackets would answer again scoring 11 of the next 15 to pull out a 65-59 victory. The key stat of the game came from the charity stripe as Defiance knocked down more free throws (22) than the Saints attempted (16). DC limited Thomas More to two three-pointers, while connecting on seven shots from beyond the arc.

Defiance (1-1) will open its home schedule on Tuesday when it hosts Heidelberg College. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.