Yellow Jackets Struggle in 74-51 Loss to Hanover

DEFIANCE, Ohio - The Defiance College men's basketball team dropped their home contest with Hanover College this afternoon, falling 74-51 at the Weaner Center in Defiance, Ohio.

Defiance (3-5, 2-2 HCAC) launched into the game with an 8-2 lead as Kiewuan Graham scored five of the Yellow Jackets first eight points. The Panthers retaliated, eventually equalizing at 12-12 with 12:45 to go in the first period. DC would hold the lead for just one more possession in the half before trailing Hanover the rest of the game. After going on a 10-0 run in the final six minutes, the visitors would head into the locker room with a 36-23 lead over Defiance.

Hanover continued to build their lead coming out of the half, opening with a 9-0 run to put them up 45-25. With ten minutes remaining, Jordan Maschino and Randall Aikins Jr. combined for a pair of jumpers to shave the Panthers' advantage to 17 points but Hanover didn't wince as they extended their lead to 64-36 on a 12-2 dash.

With just 3:15 on the clock, the Panthers would capitalize on a pair of free throws to go up 30 points on the Yellow Jackets – their largest lead of the contest. DC went on to fall 74-51. The home team finished the game shooting 36.1% (22-61) from the field and 22.2% (4-18) from three-point range. They took just eight foul shots, finishing 3-8 for 37.5%.

Aikins Jr led DC with 13 points while Graham added 12 points, seven rebounds and a team best three assists. Maschino notched seven points and six rebounds and Avion Franklin finished with six rebounds of his own.

The Yellow Jackets return to action on Monday, January 18 as they host Adrian College at the Weaner Center. Action is set to begin at 7:00 PM.