Lady Jackets Win Fifth Straight and Beat Rivals

BLUFFTON, Ohio --- The Defiance College Lady Jackets beat rival Bluffton University, 78-65, on the road Wednesday night and are now 6-1 HCAC play and 10-7 overall. BU fell to 4-14 overall and 1-6 in the HCAC.

The majority of DC’s scoring came from senior forward Kelly VanderHorst (24), junior guard Meghann Savard (23) and senior guard Meta Gerding (16). BU’s Ashleigh Stallkamp posted a game-high and career-high of 25 points.

The game was determined in the lane as the Lady Jackets beat the Beavers 42–16 in points in the paint and second chance points. DC also out-rebounded BU 38-31.

DC started the game in a familiar fashion, jumping to an early lead they would be able to sustain throughout regulation play. By the 16:30 mark, DC had established an 8–0 run, BU’s first score came from Karin Schaller’s charity stripe conversations 5:10 into the game. VanderHorst’s old-fashioned three point play sparked a 9-0 DC run and built the biggest lead of the game at 15 with 7:33 left in the half. DC led at the end of the first half, 39-32.

BU came out of the half and executed a four point run (36-41) at the Lady Jackets but DC was in the driver’s seat and never looked back. With 5:59 remaining, BU scored six unanswered points in less than a minute but could not get the lead to less than six points. As the last two minutes of play expired, BU made just 1-7 field goals and Gerding hit 5-6 free throws while VanderHorst chipped in three points.

DC will host Franklin College Saturday at home with tip-off set for 3:30. DC has not lost since their last meeting with Franklin on Jan. 8.