Lady Jackets lose heartbreaker on last-second shot
Nick Williams, Assistant SID

Defiance vs. Anderson Box Score

ANDERSON, Ind. – A valiant comeback effort by the Defiance College Women’s Basketball team fell short Saturday afternoon as a last-second shot gave Anderson University a 48-46 victory.

A first-half offensive struggle put DC in a 27-18 hole at the half, as DC was held to 25% shooting. Yet much like the Jackets’ previous game, DC clawed its way back into the game with defense. The Lady Jackets forced ten turnovers and held the Ravens to 29% shooting in the second half.

The Jackets spent much of the beginning of the second half chipping away at Anderson’s lead, coming within one at the 11:07 mark. After getting fouled with 9:14 to play, Sarah Bird hit a pair of free throws to give the Jackets a 38-37 lead, its first since 13 seconds into the game when DC scored the first basket of the contest.

Defiance held the lead until the 4:06 mark when Anderson tied the game at 42, then went ahead by three with 2:51 to play. On the next possession, DC answered with a Mandy White three-pointer to tie the game at 45. The score held up until Kayla Mengerink was able to give DC a one-point lead on a free throw with 31 seconds left.

On the next Raven possession, Melenda Hawthorne was fouled with six seconds left and a chance to give Anderson the lead. After hitting the first free throw, she missed the second but was able to grab the rebound and put in what proved to be the game-winning layup with two seconds to play.

Mengerink led DC in scoring for the third straight game with 14 in addition to her three boards and three assists. Bird contributed 11 points, five rebounds, and three steals. Mollie Patterson chipped in with six points and six rebounds.

Defiance (10-8, 3-6 HCAC) will return from its three-game road trip to take on Manchester College Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m.