Defiance Comes Up Short Against Adrian

ADRIAN, MICH.  --  Senior Michael Parker (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence North) scored 22 of his team-high 26 points in the second half, but the Defiance College men's basketball team lost to Adrian (Mich.) College, 57-50, in a non-conference game in Adrian, Mich.

In a tale of two halfs, DC shot just 23.8 percent (five-of-21), including 9.1 percent (one-of-11) from three-point range, in the first half which led to an eight-point deficit at halftime.  The Yellow Jackets rebounded in the second half to shoot 41.4 percent (12-of-29) overall and 35.3 percent (six-of-17) from long range, but the Bulldogs kept pace with Defiance's attempts at a comeback throughout the second period which led to the seven-point margin.

Parker shot 45.0 percent (nine-of-20) from the field and connected on six triples (six-of-16) en route to scoring his 26 points.  He also grabbed five rebounds and had a team-tying high three assists.  Sophomore Randall Aikins, Jr. (Detroit, Mich./Plymouth) was the only other Jacket player in double figures with 10 points.  

In addition, freshman Payton Ross (Indianapolis, Ind./Arlington) led DC in rebounding with eight boards.  Senior Keandre Gilmer (Toledo/Rogers) was second with seven rebounds.

Adrian (3-5) led for the majority of the game, including the entire first half, and built a six-point advantage, 10-4, seven-and-a-half minutes in.  The Bulldogs later led by seven points just before the eight-minute mark, when back-to-back layups by senior Devin Mangas (Leipsic) and Parker narrowed the score to, 19-16, with 3:36 left in the half.

Adrian scored the only points in the final 3:36 on a jumper and a three-pointer as time expired to increase its lead to eight points, 24-16, at the intermission.

The Bulldogs tallied the first basket of the second half to record its only double-digit lead of the game, 26-16.  Defiance came right back with an 8-0 scoring run that included a pair of three-pointers by Parker, to make it a 26-24 game with 16:54 remaining.  But Adrian scored with consecutive layups to end the run and increased the margin to six points, 30-24.  

The deficit remained six points just under the 10-minute mark when Defiance went on a 7-0 run that resulted in the Yellow Jackets' first lead of the game, 41-40, with 7:20 to go.  Both teams swapped one-of-two free-throws before Adrian scored four straight points to regain the lead and never trailed in the game again.  

The Bulldogs regained the lead as part of a 10-2 run and found themselves with a seven-point advantage with under two-and-a-half minutes on the clock.  DC made a final push down the stretch and got to within three points, 53-50, with 26 seconds left after one-of-two free-throws by Gilmer.  Adrian then put the game away at the free-throw line with four straight successful attempts as the Jacket shooting went cold, leading to the 57-50 final.

Defiance will return to action on Thursday, Dec. 29 when it hosts the annual two-day Purple & Gold Invitational at the Karl H. Weaner Center.  The Yellow Jackets will take on OSU-Lima on Thursday with tip-off scheduled for 7 p.m.