Two in a row for the Lady Jackets
Nick Williams, Assistant SID

Defiance vs. Hanover Box Score

DEFIANCE, Ohio - The Defiance College Lady Jacket basketball team continued its winning ways with a 59-44 win over Hanover College to move to .500 in the HCAC.

DC got off to a blistering start, scoring the first 12 points of the game and holding Hanover without a field goal for the first four minutes. However, the large lead would not last, as the Panthers began chipping away at the gap over the course of the next eight minutes. By the eight minute mark, Hanover had taken the lead, 18-17 and held it through most of the remainder of the half. That changed when Sarah Bird’s three pointer put DC back on top 26-25 with 2:40 to play in the half. DC maintained the lead and ended the half with a two-point advantage.

In the second half, Hanover was able to hang around throughout the beginning of the period, keeping the deficit at no more than six through the first nine minutes. DC then began to turn it up offensively as the Jackets began to gain momentum and capitalize on scoring opportunities. DC had a 43-32 lead with 9:18 to play and would never let the Panthers bring the gap to within single digits for the rest of the game, cruising to the victory.

The Lady Jacket offense moved the ball well during the game, as the team finished with 19 assists on 21 of their field goals. DC was also tough to stop from downtown, going 8-of-16 from three point range.

Mandy White was a force in the paint, finishing the game with 20 points and ten rebounds for her first double-double of her collegiate career. Sarah Bird had a season-high 17 points, while Kayla Mengerink had a solid effort with two points, three rebounds, and six assists without committing a turnover all game.

Defiance (5-2, 2-2 HCAC) will have little time to dwell on the victory, as the team hits the road tomorrow afternoon to take on Siena Heights University at 3:00 p.m.