Women's Hoops Suffers Setback at MSJ

CINCINNATI - Defiance dropped a 69-58 decision to the College of Mount St. Joseph on Saturday, January 5, falling to 1-3 in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference.

DC failed to score a field goal over the last ten minutes of the contest, while shooting only 27 percent from the field as a team for the game.

The Mount jumped out to an early 15-5 lead in the first seven minutes of the game, before a Courtney Schmersal jumper cut the deficit below ten for the Jackets. Amber Bailey, Sarah Grime and Schmersal combined for 21 of DC’s 24 first-half points as it went into the break trailing 33-24.

Defiance closed the gap over the first six minutes of the second half, climbing within four, 43-39, on a layup by Grime. The two teams traded baskets over the next four minutes of the game, until a Tasha Stucke jumper made the score 53-48 at the ten minute mark. DC would manage just 10 points for the remainder of the contest, all from the charity stripe, missing its last 18 shots from the field as MSJ pulled away for the victory.

Defiance lost despite holding a 54-41 rebounding advantage, and pulling down over 20 offensive boards for the second-consecutive game. The Jackets were 20-of-25 from the free throw line in the second half, shooting 75 percent as a team for the game.

Bailey had another breakout performance for DC, pouring in a game-high 15 points to go along with her 14 rebounds and five blocked shots. The 6-3 sophomore is averaging 15.7 points, 10.3 boards and 4.3 blocks over her last three contests. Grime picked up a double-double in her first start of the season, dropping in 10 points and pulling down 10 rebounds.

Defiance (5-6) returns to action next Saturday, January 12, when it travels to Lexington, Ky. to face the Pioneers of Transylvania University. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.