DC downed at Aquinas despite dramatic finish

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - A feverish comeback by the Defiance Yellow Jackets in the final minutes built the drama but the Aquinas Saints prevailed for a 74-69 win at the Sturrus Sports and Fitness Center on Saturday.

The Yellow Jackets (8-16, 5-13 WHAC) still hold on to the 10th seed in the WHAC Tournament with two games to play by virtue of a Michigan-Dearborn loss at Madonna. Meanwhile, the Saints (13-13, 9-10 WHAC) secured their spot in the conference tournament with the win.

After the Yellow Jackets trailed by 11 points, they were able to chip and spent much of the second half trailing by two possessions. Parker Chatman made several key buckets to put the Jackets within five points. Near the two-minute mark, Christian Burton picked a steal and Jordyn Jury tapped in his missed layup as he trailed him up the floor to boost DC to within four. 

Defiance continued to ratchet up the defensive pressure late in the game. After Carter Sudhoff dropped in a layup, Evan Angstmann stole the inbound and added a jumper of his own to bring the score to 70-67 in favor of Aquinas. Jalen Brown picked off a throw on the next Aquinas possession that led to a bucket for Donovan Stone with 13 seconds left. After giving the Saints a pair of free throws to push the game back to a three-point affair, the Saints defense locked down every offensive look for DC that led to a traveling violation at the top of the arc.

The first half was as even as it could be with the Saints taking a two-point lead into the locker room at 33-31. Both teams shot 48 percent, secured 15 rebounds and turned the ball over seven times. The difference in the first half numbers came from five 3-pointers by Aquinas compared to just two by DC, which was leveled out by DC's 3-for-3 mark at the charity stripe during the first 20 minutes. Defiance enjoyed the largest lead of the half at 16-10, which was fueled by a 7-0 run. 

THE TURNING POINT

Aquinas held a three-point lead at 40-37 before they took a 7-0 run to lead by 10 with 12:45 left. That lead got as large as 11 to create separation before the Yellow Jackets were able to gather their footing.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Defiance shot 49 percent and lost for just the second time this year when shooting 45 percent or better. 
• Defiance narrowly won the turnover battle 15-13 while the Saints claimed the battle of the boards, 37-32.
• Parker Chatman posted a season-high with nine points for Defiance. His four rebounds were also a season-best in 11 crucial minutes of action for the Jackets.
• The freshmen trio of Evan Angstmann, Carter Sudhoff and Jalen Brown all posted double-figures with Angstmann leading the way with 13 points.

UP NEXT

Defiance plays their home finale on Wednesday against the Rochester Christian Warriors. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the Karl H. Weaner Center.

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