Jackets Unable to Knock Off No. 25 Capital

COLUMBUS, Ohio –Defiance could not withstand a late rally by the Crusaders of Capital University, falling 80-70 on Saturday, December 29. The Jackets fall to 4-5 on the season with the loss.

Trailing early in the game, Mandy White scored three consecutive buckets to cap off a 22-11 spurt to pull the Lady Jackets within one, 25-24. DC shot nearly 52 percent from the field over the last 13 minutes of the first half to head into the break trailing by one 36-35. Amber Bailey dropped in 11 points in the opening period to lead Defiance.

The second half was a see-saw battle that saw eight lead changes between the two teams. Tasha Stucke’s steal set up a Holly Stein jumper that gave the Jackets their first lead of the game, 37-36, just 20 seconds into the

second stanza. Both squads continued to stay hot, trading baskets over the next ten minutes of the contest before Stucke’s jumper gave DC its largest lead of the game, 60-56.

Defiance would go ice cold over the next three minutes as Capital went on a 12-0 run to take a commanding 68-60 lead with five minutes left in the contest. Steins’ layup with two and half minutes remaining pulled DC within six, 75-69, but neither team would hit a field goal the rest of the way out as the Crusaders iced the game at the free throw line to pull out the victory.

Bailey had a career day, tallying 25 points and 15 rebounds on the night. Sarah Grime came off the bench to score 13 points on five-of-ten shooting, while White’s 11 points pushed her double-digits streak to seven games.

Defiance will open up the new year on Wednesday, January 2 when it hosts Tri-State University Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.