Brooks’ double-double leads Defiance in solid showing at Franklin

FRANKLIN, Ind. – Sherod Brooks scored in double figures for the sixth time in seven games on his way to a career afternoon despite a competitive loss for the Defiance Yellow Jackets, 80-68, against the Franklin Grizzlies. Defiance kept Franklin in view the whole game and gave the Grizzlies their second close call in two weeks as momentum swung back and forth all afternoon at the Spurlock Center on Saturday.

The Yellow Jackets (1-17) dropped their 16th game in a row and 12th straight conference game while the Grizzlies (10-9) snapped a two-game skid to improve to 8-4 in the HCAC.

TURNING POINT

With Defiance trailing 74-65 following a free throw by Evan Park out of the last media timeout, Sherod Brooks trimmed Franklin's lead to seven with a layup and again to six points by splitting a pair of free throws with 2:37 left in the game. However, the Grizzlies' responded by scoring the game's last six points to put away the home win, highlighted by a steal and score by Jessie Morgan Jr. to cap off his team-high 21 points.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Both sides shot over 50 percent and took care of the ball during a competitive first half. The Yellow Jackets took an early, short-lived 3-2 lead on a 3-pointer by Brooks before Franklin responded with some sharp shooting of their own. The Grizzlies made five treys to grab ahold of a 25-14 lead through the first 10 minutes of the game and started out 10-for-14 from the floor. 

Franklin's lead swelled to as many as 15 points, their largest of the game, during the first half before the Yellow Jackets surged back. Over the last 5:32 of the half, Brooks led the charge with 10 of his 15 first-half points as the Jackets put together a 17-9 run and trimmed Franklin's advantage down to seven points by the break. Defiance was locked in during that stretch and made 6 of 7 attempts with a trio of 3-pointers, two by Brooks and another by Devin Goodwyn that sparked the rally. Defiance's 37 points and 52 percent shooting over the first half were each the team's best first-half totals this season.

The give-and-take poured over into the second half as Franklin pushed ahead by double figures during the first six minutes of the half. Trailing 59-48, the Jackets went on an 8-1 run to cut down the lead to four points thanks to six points from Landen Swanner, which included a 4-for-4 clip at the free throw line.

Franklin used the 3-pointer once again to create separation once again while forcing a pair of DC turnovers, which forced a two-plus minute drought from taking a field goal. Holding on to a nine-point lead, the Yellow Jackets and Grizzlies played an even ballgame through most of the second half with the score standing at 30-30 after halftime through the first 17 minutes of the second half.

The Jackets were shutout from long range after halftime, going 0-for-7 from outside after a 6-for-13 first half. However, Defiance plugged that hole in the dam with an 11-for-15 second half at the free throw line to neutralize the Grizzlies' three second-half 3-pointers.

Defiance also won the battle of the boards, 37-27, for just the fifth time this season. More evidence of one DC's cleanest games of the season was just 11 turnovers committed, the team's fewest since a season-low nine in the HCAC opener at Mount St. Joseph on November 29. 

BRINGING THE STING

• Sherod Brooks recorded his first-career double-double and scoring performance of greater than 20 points on a game-high 26 points and 11 rebounds. Brooks shot an efficient 10-for-13 from the floor and went 3-for-5 from outside the arc. He also led the team with three steals. His rebound total is the most by a Yellow Jacket this season and the third-best scoring game of the year. It also marked the program's first double-double in just over a year, which was by Marell Jordan on January 11, 2023 versus Anderson in which Jordan scored 28 points and secured 11 rebounds.
• Will Gehlhausen notched double figures for the sixth time this year with 15 points and two treys.
• Landen Swanner was the third DC player to hit double digits with an even 10 points. He also led the team with four assists and went 4-for-4 from the line.
• Jordyn Jury continued to rebound well for the Jackets with seven boards, tying a career-best. Jury also dished out a pair of assists and scored five points, three of which were at the charity stripe.
• Defiance's other 12 points were spread out between Evan Park, Devin Goodwyn, Cole Wojciecowski and Cam Martin. Park's five were the most among that group.

UP NEXT

The Yellow Jackets continue their road swing by visiting Earlham on Wednesday night. Tipoff against the Quakers is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Druley Performance Gym.

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