Yellow Jackets kept at bay, unable to overcome deficit in 79-65 loss at Heidelberg

TIFFIN, Ohio - The Defiance College women's basketball team dropped their first road game of the season, 79-65, Sunday afternoon at Heidelberg University inside Seiberling Gymnasium. The Yellow Jackets tried to claw their way back late in the fourth quarter, but the 17-point deficit was too much too overcome. 

The Yellow Jackets would never hold a lead in the game or be able to tie the game at any point as Heidelberg scored first and never relinquished the lead. The Student Princes improve to 1-1 and Defiance falls to 0-2. 

Despite getting off to a good start and shooting 46% from the field in the first quarter, the Yellow Jackets found themselves down three after one. The Student Princes led by as many as six in the period and Defiance got baskets by Karrie Smith, Teagan Hunt, and Addy Allen in the final two minutes of the quarter to trail 19-16 after one.

A layup from Elisha Carter gave the home squad a 38-25 lead with 2:19 remaining in the half and forced a Defiance timeout. Out of the timeout, Zadria King made a layup and Addy Allen converted two free throws to get the deficit to single digits going into halftime. Aliza Clark missed from downtown as time expired in the first half. 

Kaiya Albert converted a layup to continue the strong start to the second half and the score was 40-35 90 seconds into the second half. Elisha Carter, however, answered with a three to extend the lead back out to eight. The Student Princes would extend the lead with an 8-0 run and it was a 13-point lead again for the home team. Heidelberg led by as many as 14 in the third period and a three by Zadria King made the score 56-45 at the end of the quarter.

With 6:39 remaining in the game, Heidelberg extended their lead to 17, 65-48. The Yellow Jackets never kept fighting. A layup by Kaiya Albert trimmed the deficit to seven, but Defiance was unable to get any closer.

The Yellow Jackets shot 37% from the floor in the game but only 25% (3-for-12) from three-point range. Kaiya Albert led the way with 19 points while Zadria King and Taylor Bates both recorded career highs. Bates finished with a career high seven points and career high eight rebounds while King finished with career highs in points (15), rebounds (8), and assists (4). 

The Yellow Jackets are back in action at home Wednesday night, November 15 against Adrian. Tip-off with the Bulldogs is set for 7 p.m.