Jackets battle but come up short against WHAC-leading Indiana Tech

DEFIANCE, Ohio - The Defiance Yellow Jackets endured a difficult shooting afternoon and remained in striking distance of the Indiana Tech Warriors before the visitors pulled away late for a 70-59 victory at the Karl H. Weaner Center on Saturday.

The Yellow Jackets (6-11, 3-8 WHAC) were limited to 33 percent shooting from the floor but finished the game with just one field goal fewer than Indiana Tech. The Warriors (13-5, 10-1 WHAC) maintained their two-game lead in the conference with the victory.

Despite the dip in shooting, Defiance won the rebounding battle (45-40), second-chance points (11-7) and made for 3-pointers (6-5). However, Indiana Tech converted 19-of-30 free throws compared to DC's 9-for-13, including 10 makes at the line over the final 6:30 of the game. 

Defiance started strong with a 7-2 lead but the Warriors responded with a 12-0 run to gain control of the basketball game. After falling behind by nine, Zahyem Bradwell and Devonte Curry hit back-to-back 3-pointers to cut the lead down to three just past the halfway point of the first. Indiana Tech responded 10-2 run and built their largest lead of the game to 13 points ahead of the half.

DC started to cut into the distance with 12 minutes left in the game when short jumper by Carter Sudhoff and another triple by Bradwell pulled Defiance within seven. Out of the under 10-minute media timeout, Jalen Brown made it a four-point game on another 3-pointer with 9:17 remaining. Defiance got as close as two points at 49-47 following a pair of free throws from Connor Bush with just under nine minutes left. Bush struck again two minutes later to bring the Jackets within three when he muscled in a layup and added a free throw thanks to an Indiana Tech foul.

THE TURNING POINT

Indiana Tech outscored Defiance 17-9 over the last 6:30 of the game and scored 10 of those points at the free throw line. Another big blow occurred a minute into that stretch when a technical foul was called against Defiance. Indiana Tech split the free throws but Blake Davison sank a 3-pointer to extend the Warrior lead out to 10 points and aided an 8-0 run. DC hit a couple more shots to get back within six points but shots stopped falling over the final minutes while the Warriors closed it out at the line.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Saturday's contest was the first meeting against Indiana Tech since Nov. 22, 1991. That game was the first DC men's basketball game as an NCAA Division III program.
• The Yellow Jacket defense continues to clamp down and are allowing just 67 points per game over the last five contests.
• Both teams took care of the basketball and committed just 12 combined turnovers. The eight turnovers by Defiance were their fewest in a game this season.
• The 33 percent shooting percentage was Defiance's lowest since shooting 32.7 percent in a loss at Aquinas.
• Carter Sudhoff was two rebounds away from a double-double with a team-high 15 points and eight boards. Fellow freshman Jalen Brown was also not far off from the feat with seven points and eight rebounds.
• Christian Burton added 12 points and Zahyem Bradwell posted 10 more points for DC. They were also the only players to make multiple 3-point baskets for DC. 

UP NEXT
Defiance begins a four-game road swing with a visit to Rochester Christian on Wednesday. Tipoff against the Warriors is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Garth Pleasant Arena. 

-JACKETS-