DC Closes Out Season at Hanover

HANOVER, Ind. - The Defiance College men's basketball team closed out the 2017-18 season on Saturday at Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference opponent, Hanover. The Yellow Jackets fell in the contest 78-59.

The Purple and Gold (3-22 overall, 2-16 HCAC) were led by freshman Demoines Whitney (Detroit, Mich.) with a team-best 15 points and seven rebonds.

Defiance captured the lead early in the opening half as freshman Avion Franklin (Toledo) drained a three-pointer at the 17:33 minute mark to put DC on top 5-4. Hanover continued to battle as they would tie the contest moments later and gain the lead following back-to-back three-pointers. Defiance eventually haulted the Panther run with another Franklin deep threat with 11:29 to play, 22-10. 

The Yellow Jackets tried to erase the deficit late in the half as a layup by freshman Demoines Whitney (Detroit, Mich.) and three-pointer by freshman Elijah Pennington (Indianapolis, Ind.) pulled DC within 31-20 at the break.

In the second half, the Hanover offense erupted stretching its lead to 46-24 with 13:49 remaining. The Purple and Gold looked to respond once more as freshman Kiewuan Graham (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.) hit a jumper with 10:37 to play followed by a Whitney layup. Junior Randall Aikins Jr. (Detroit, Mich.) would make his way to the rim as he hit a jumper to cut the advantage to 61-43. 

Hoowever, the Panthers deemed to strong as they fought off the DC surge and claimed the conference win.