Yellow Jackets fall to Wilmington to finish Purple and Gold Tournament

DEFIANCE, Ohio – The Defiance College men's basketball team was unable to overcome a quick start to the second half by Wilmington College and suffered their first defeat of the season, 81-72, on Saturday afternoon at the Weaner Community Center.

After taking down Spalding on Friday night, the Fightin' Quakers (2-0) swept the weekend classic by holding a wire-to-wire lead against the Yellow Jackets (1-1).

Defiance made a solid run at the close of the first half by cutting a 28-21 deficit to a 34-34 tie, but Wilmington found two quick buckets by Abdul Kanu to close the first half to lead 38-34 at the break. Kanu's second hoop in that sequence was a breakaway dunk that led to a double technical foul as time expired; one by Kanu for slapping the backboard and the other by Defiance head coach Josh Gibson for advocating for the call.

The infractions forced the second half to start with free throws before Wilmington went on a 12-3 run into the first media timeout. The lead swelled to as many as 22 (64-42) with 11:06 remaining before the Yellow Jackets started to charge back.

Triples by Marell Jordan and Landen Swanner got the Defiance offense back in rhythm halfway through the second half. The Yellow Jackets also made up a lot of ground at the free throw line, making 16 of 22 attempts down the stretch. Defiance clawed back to within 10 at the final media timeout, but the Quakers quick start out of the locker room held up to the nine-point victory. 

Marell Jordan posted a game-high 30 points for the Yellow Jackets, following a 24-point performance on Friday night against Miami-Middletown. Jordan was the only Jacket in double figures. He scored 13 from the free throw line and hit three jumpers from downtown.

Clayton McCorkle had a hot start for Defiance, starting 3-for-3 with a pair of threes and finished behind Jordan with eight. Kiewaun Graham paced Defiane with seven rebounds, followed by six points and six boards from Easton Lewis. Freshman Evan Conrad accounted for seven points after receiving his second start at center.

Wilmington's Obed Achirem dominated the interior game with a game-high 14 rebounds and posted 13 of his team-best 20 points in the second half, including four dunks. With just under six minutes left in the game, Achirem perhaps made the play of the tournament when he blocked a three-point try by Jordan, grabbed the carom and stormed down the court for a one-handed slam to end a three-minute scoring drought for the Quakers. Defiance was on a 7-0 scoring run between those Wilmington buckets.

The Quakers also had double digits in scoring by Kanu with 19 and Bryce Bird, who chipped in 14 and dished out a game-high five assists.

Points in the paint and rebounding were two areas that helped the Quakers separate. Wilmington scored 52 of their 82 points in the paint and out-rebounded Defiance, 38-29. Wilmington also had a slight edge in shooting percentage at 53 percent compared to 43 percent by Defiance.

The Yellow Jackets are back home on Wednesday night for a non-conference bout with Alma College (0-1). Tipoff at the Weaner Community Center is set for 7:30 p.m.

2022 Purple and Gold Tournament Results, All Games
Friday

Defiance 88, Miami-Middletown 79
Wilmington 84, Spalding 60

Saturday

Miami-Middletown 78, Spalding 64
Wilmington 81, Defiance 72

All-Tournament Team
Defiance - Marell Jordan, Sr. (27.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 3 3FG, 19-24 FT, 6 steals)
Defiance - Kiewaun Graham, Sr. (9.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg)
Wilmington - Obed Achirem, So. (13.0 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 4 steals)
Wilmington - Abdul Kanu, Sr. (15.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg)

-JACKETS-