Yellow Jackets Downed by Sharp Shooting Lions

DEFIANCE, OHIO - The Defiance College men's basketball team played host to Mount St. Joseph on Saturday afternoon. A sharp-shooting performance from the Lions allowed the visitors to head back to Cincinnati with a 98-75 win. 

Statistically, the Yellow Jackets were led by freshman Marell Jordan (Lafayette, Ind. / Lafayette Jefferson) with 15 points. Three other Yellow Jackets reached double figures, with Noah Goodrich (Oregon / Genoa) and Tyler Andrew (Indianapolis, Ind. / Lawrence Central) each scoring 14, and Sean Tyson (Columbus / Centennial) finishing with 12. 

Defensively, Andrew led on the boards grabbing six rebounds. Jordan snagged four steals on the day, helping the Jackets win the turnover battle 13-7. 

DC was able to strike first in the contest with a Tyson layup on the first possession of the day. The Lions grabbed their first lead just a handful of minutes into the action, and the visitors never looked back. The Lions shot a stellar 62.5% from beyond the arc, with a 73.3% mark from the field. 

As the first half ran down, MSJ extended their lead to 51-28 as the sides headed into the locker room. 

The Yellow Jackets looked to slowly close the Lion lead in the second half. With just over 15 minutes left, DC capped an eight point run with a Goodrich layup to bring the score back to within 20. 

The Lions continued their high offensive performance, steadily keeping the Defiance pursuit at bay. With just over seven minutes left on the clock, a Tyson layup followed by an Andrew three, had the score standing at 73-59 as the Jackets looked for one last offensive push. 

A pair of three pointers from Jalen Peck (Cincinnati / Lakota East) and Matthew Cline (Fostoria / Elmwood) wrapped up the day for Defiance, as the Lions dribbled out the clock. 

The loss takes Defiance's record to 3-18 overall, with a 1-13 HCAC mark. The Yellow Jackets will return to action Wednesday, Feb. 6, as they make the trip to rival Bluffton University for an 8:00 pm tip-off. The Jackets will continue their road stand with contests against Transylvania on Feb. 9, and Earlham on Feb. 13, before returning home for a Senior Day contest with Hanover on Feb. 16.