Women's Basketball Post Dominant Performance Against Anderson

DEFIANCE, OHIO – The Yellow Jackets posted a dominant performance on Wednesday evening as they defeated Anderson in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference action 77-58 at the Karl H. Weaner Center.

Defiance (6-14 overall, 4-9 HCAC) saw three players finish in double figures led by junior Sam Ervin (Bloomdale/Elmwood) with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Sophomore Shelby Stamm (Bellevue) and junior Lauren Rogers (Munger, Mich./Bay City Central) chipped in 15 points. 

The Purple and Gold ran away early in the opening stanza using a 14-0 run over a four minute span to claim the 14-2 advantage. Defiance continued to get it done on both ends of the floor as senior Whitney Schalk (Bellevue) got the steal and score followed by a three-pointer with 2:30 remaining to extend the DC lead, 19-4. The assault continued as Rogers showed her range draining back-to-back three-pointers to close out the first quarter, 24-8.

The hot shooting from behind the arc continued for the Yellow Jackets in the second period as senior Mekai White (Cincinnati/Winton Woods) made her way into the scoring column with 9:44 to play, 27-8. The Purple and Gold ramped up the excitement as senior Brittany Osborne (Union City, Ind.) went to work down low scoring three straight layups to extend the Defiance advantage with 4:08 remaining, 34-15.

The Ravens tried to get something going as a defensive rebound and score cut the deficit with just under two minutes to play before Stamm completed the old fashion three-point play, 41-23. The Yellow Jackets would enter the break shooting 17-of-35 (51.5%) from the field, including four three-pointers for the 42-24 halftime advantage.

Anderson opened the second half strong scoring the first four points to cut the DC advantage to 42-28. The Ravens continued to soar midway through the second as an 8-0 run capped off by a three-pointer pulled the Black and Orange within 38-51. Defiance responded moments later as Ervin and Schalk hit layups in the lane to enter the final stanza leading 58-40.

However, the Yellow Jackets deemed too much in the final period as junior Ashley Lee (Millington Mich.) hit a deep ball with 7:28 to play to spark the DC offense. The Purple and Gold finished the contest shooting 32-for-70 (45.7%) from the field and 7-for-22 (31.8 %) from behind the arc to capture the win.

The Yellow Jackets return to action Saturday, February 3 as they travel to Cincinnati to take on HCAC foe Mount St. Joseph. Game time is set for 4:00 p.m.