Defiance tops Hanover 59-51 in OT thriller

DEFIANCE, Ohio – The Defiance College Yellow Jackets topped Hanover College 59-51 in an overtime thriller Saturday afternoon in the Weaner Center.

Wade Wooley gave the Yellow Jackets (13-4, 8-2 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference) the lead in overtime with four points on consecutive trips. Then, the combined efforts of Ryan Hicks, Bernard Edwards and Mason Roth finished off the Panthers (11-6, 7-3 HCAC) as DC outscored Hanover 13-5 in the extra frame.

Defiance had a chance to win the game in regulation after Hanover tied it up with 5.5 seconds remaining. Roth was able to get a shot off from the left side, but was unable to connect and Hicks was unable to get the rebound back up before time expired.

Edwards, Roth and Hicks all scored in double digits for the Yellow Jackets on the afternoon. Edwards led all Yellow Jackets with 19 points, including 11 free throws.

Roth led Defiance on the boards, missing a double-double by one rebound, to go along with 16 points. Roth's nine rebounds was a career high for the junior. His 16 points was also a season high.

Hicks finished one rebound and one point behind Roth, totaling 15 points and eight boards.

After a quick start by Hanover, Defiance's defense closed down on the Panthers and the Yellow Jacket offense sprung DC to a 27-21 halftime lead with several little runs in the first 20 minutes.

Travis Schomaeker gave the Yellow Jackets their first lead in the first half with back-to-back baskets on consecutive trips. He finished with five points, but also had four steals and a pair of assists in the game.

Roth then followed it up with his first of two three pointers on the night. It was only the second time that Roth connected on multiple threes in a game this season.

Hicks and Edwards then combined for 15 of DC's final 17 points of the first half.  Edwards finished with 12 in the first half and Roth, Schomaeker and Hicks all had five points apiece.

Hanover raced back early in the second half, cutting the deficit and taking the lead with an 11-3 run that lasted over nine minutes.

The teams traded a few baskets before the Panthers worked open a five-point lead with a little over eight minutes remaining.

Hicks then put in six of the next eight points in the game to bring DC back into the lead.

After four quick points from Hanover, Roth connected on a free throw and then made a big three pointer with 45 seconds left to give DC the lead. However, the Panthers were able to tie the game up with five seconds remaining, getting off a shot just before the shot clock had expired.

Both squads struggled from the floor in the game. Defiance made just 37 percent of its shots from the floor, while Hanover connected on 35 percent of its shots.

Defiance had a season high in turnovers with 15, but also forced 11 from the Panthers. DC topped Hanover on the boards 42-35, proving to be one of the big differences in the game.

The Yellow Jackets will return to action Wednesday night with a trip to Bluffton on the schedule. Defiance topped the Beavers earlier this month 55-42.