Yellow Jackets Fall in Tight Contest with Hanover

HANOVER, IND. - The Defiance College Yellow Jackets traveled south on Saturday afternoon to face off with Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference foe Hanover at the Collier Arena. The Yellow Jackets dropped the contest 73-61.

DC (1-7 overall, 1-2 HCAC) was led on the day by junior Shelby Stamm (Bellevue) with a team-high 15 points on 5-of-10 shooting from the floor including three, three-pointers.

The Purple and Gold came alive in the second half as they entered the third quarter trailing 43-21 before efficient free throw shooting pulled the Yellow Jackets within 54-30 just midway through the period. Defiance would string together a small run as back-to-back deep balls from Stamm capped off a 6-0 run to cut the deficit to 58-39. 

 The Yellow Jackets looked to carry the momentum into the fourth quarter as freshman Taylor Day (West Mansfield/North Union) hit a hugh three-pointer with 8:49 to play cutting the lead to 63-43. The two teams exchanged points for several minutes before senior Lauren Rogers (Munger, Mich./Bay City Central) connected on a layup in the paint followed by a Stamm score to cut the deficit to 67-49. However, the Panthers were able to hold off the charging Yellow Jackets and hold on for the win.

The Purple and Gold return to action on Tuesday, December 18 as they travel to Manchester. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.