DC Drops Heartbreaker to Hanover, 62-60

DEFIANCE, Ohio – Defiance fell to 2-7 in the HCAC as Hanover College’s Molly Martin knocked down the game-winner as time expired to help the Panthers pull out a 62-60 victory on Saturday, January 26.

Holly Stein scored eight of her 12 points in the last minute and a half, carrying Defiance back from a five-point deficit. The freshman guard’s three-point play with 13 seconds to play in the contest knotted the game at 60-60. Martin spoiled the comeback as her jumper at the buzzer rolled in to help the Panthers complete their sweep of DC this season.

The Jackets managed to stay in the game, despite shooting a dismal 16.7 percent (6-of-36) from the field in the first half. Megan Crouch’s three-pointer with 24 seconds left in the opening period gave DC its first field goal in

over 11 minutes and cut Hanover’s lead to eight, 29-21, heading into the break.

In what is becoming a staple for this DC squad, the Jackets opened up the final stanza with six quick points to cut the Panther’s lead to two, 29-27. Defiance was able to tie the game at 38 ten minutes later on two free throws by Katie Carunchia, but Hanover once again kept the Jackets at bay using an 8-2 run to open up a 46-40 advantage. DC would answer with five consecutive points, but would not be able to even up the score until Stein’s three-point play late in the game.

Defiance pulled down 52 rebounds in the game, including 21 off the offensive glass. The DC defense forced 25 turnovers, tallying 15 steals for the game. The Jackets shot just 27.8 percent from the field on the game, falling to 0-7 when shooting below 35 percent as a team.

Mandy White led Defiance with a game-high 17 points, while recording her third double-double of the season with 12 rebounds to go along with her four steals. Two other Lady Jackets reached double-figures in rebounding on the game as Amber Bailey finished with 12, while Sarah Grime pulled down 10 for the game. Bailey finished the game with three blocked shots, giving her 43 on the season and moving her into fifth place in DC’s single-season record book. Tasha Stucke had a well-rounded game for the Jackets, tallying six points, five rebounds, five steals and four assists.

Defiance (6-10) returns to action on Wednesday, January 30 when it travels to rival Bluffton University. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.