DC Dominates Glass in 92-80 Victory Over Tri-State

DEFIANCE, Ohio –Defiance started the year off with a bang, shooting a season-high 54.2 percent from the field on its way to a 92-80 victory over Tri-State University on Wednesday, January 2.

The Jackets used their height advantage to take control of the game early. Posts Amber Bailey, Sarah Grime and Mandy White combined to score Defiance’s first 14 points of the game, helping DC jump out to a 14-10 lead with just under fifteen minutes to go in the first half.

Trailing 16-14, the Jackets hit their next nine shots to regain control of the game, 35-24. Bailey, Sarah Bird, Courtney Schmersal and Molly Bateman each knocked in two buckets during the six minute spurt. Grime would feed Bailey for a fast break layup shortly before the half to give DC a 51-38 advantage heading into the break.

Bailey finished the first half with a near triple-double, tallying eight points, nine boards and six blocks in the period. White dropped in 10 points in the half, while Schmersal and Grime added eight apiece. Tasha Stucke finished the opening stanza with seven assists.

Stucke capped off a 10-2 run to start the second half, giving the Jackets a 61-42 lead with 17 minutes left in the contest. DC would not allow its lead to slip below 12 points, coasting to its second victory in its last three contests.

The Jackets dominated the glass throughout the game outrebounding Tri-State 58-27, including 20 offensive boards. DC also had a season-high 31 assists in the victory.

Bailey and Holly Stein each finished with a double-double as Bailey’s final line read 13 points, 12 rebounds and seven blocks, while Stein tallied 13 points to go along with 12 boards and two steals. White finished the game with 16 points and seven rebounds, pushing her streak to nine straight games with double digits in scoring. Schmersal was perfect from the field, knocking down all eight field goal attempts on her way to a career-high 16 points. Stucke dished out a career-high 11 assists, while Grime added eight points and six boards on the night.

Defiance (5-5) dives back into the HCAC schedule when it travels to Cincinnati, Ohio to face the College of Mount St. Joseph. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.