Mount Vernon's Strong Finish Does in Jackets

DEFIANCE, Ohio – Defiance was unable to hold off Mount Vernon Nazarene, falling 68-63 on Friday, December 19. The Cougars closed each half on big runs to hand DC the loss, as the Jackets fall to 4-6 on the season.

The two teams fought through 11 lead changes in the first 14 minutes of play, before Amanda Himes' layup ignited a 14-4 to close out the half as Mount Vernon went into the break with a 34-26 advantage. Defiance was ice cold in the opening period, shooting just 20.5 percent from the field. The Jackets were able to force 16 turnovers in the period, scoring ten points off those mishaps.

DC started the final stanza on a 9-0 run, as Amber Bailey's breakaway layup gave the Jackets their first lead, 35-34, since the 7:31 mark in the first half. Defiance kept the Cougars at bay for the next six minutes, pushing its lead to five, 61-56, with Molly Bateman's trifecta with 4:15 left in the contest. However, the Jackets were unable to put the game away, as Kellie Jokela scored eight consecutive points to key the Cougars' 12-2 run to close out the game. 

Defiance finished with 34.3 percent shooting from the field, knocking down 51.6 percent of its shots in the second half to offset a poor shooting opening period. For the second consecutive game the Jackets were outshot at the charity stripe, as Mount Vernon knocked down 11 more free throws in the game.  DC, who entered tonight's contest averaging over seven treys per outing, was held to just 4-of-20 shooting from downtown.

Shavonda Price recorded her second straight double-double, scoring a team-high 14 points to go along with her ten caroms. Courtney Schmersal finished with nine points, connecting on a shot from beyond the arc for the sixth consecutive game.

Defiance will have 11 days off for the holiday season, before heading to Richmond, Ind. for a 5:00 p.m. matchup with Earlham College.