Yellow Jackets lose season finale at UM-Dearborn, dashing conference tournament bid

DEARBORN, Mich. - The Defiance Yellow Jackets fell short in another second-half comeback, losing to the Michigan-Dearborn Wolverines 86-81 at the UM-Dearborn Fieldhouse on Saturday.

With the loss, the Yellow Jackets' (8-18, 5-15 WHAC) season ends while the Wolverines (8-20, 6-14 WHAC) grab the final spot in the upcoming WHAC Tournament as a result of the virtual play-in game.

Defiance was dealt some early adversity while having to play most of the first half without freshman standout Carter Sudhoff, who picked up three fouls in the game's first three minutes. Zahyem Bradwell stepped in and made an impact in Sudhoff's absence with six points and seven boards before halftime, including an early slam dunk. Bradwell was also instrumental in Defiance dominating the offensive glass 14-1 prior to halftime.

Defiance stayed afloat thanks to their free throw shooting and ended a high-scoring first half down by 11 points, 50-39. While UM-Dearborn shot 62 percent in the first half compared to DC's 30 percent from the field, the Yellow Jackets made 16-of-24 shots at the charity stripe to stay within striking distance.

The Yellow Jackets closed the gap during the opening minutes of the second half. They converted 3-pointers on three straight possessions with makes by Curry and two by Jalen Brown to climb within six points. By the 13-minute mark, an Evan Angstmann trey clipped UM-Dearborn's lead down to one at 60-59. Christian Burton repeated the feat at the six-minute mark with a step-back trey on the right wing, bringing the score to 67-66 in favor of UM-Dearborn.

THE TURNING POINT
Angstmann hit another big 3-pointer with 3:14 left and sank a pair of free throws a minute later to tie the contest at 74-74. However, UM-Dearborn answered with three straight buckets around two DC turnovers to jump ahead by two possessions. That 6-0 run created a cushion that helped the Wolverines close out the contest.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Despite a 30 percent clip to start the game, the Yellow Jackets finished at 39 percent for the contest while shooting 52 percent from the field in the second half.
• DC went just 1-for-12 from 3-point range before halftime. Devonte Curry sank Defiance's lone shot beyond the arc over 16 minutes into the game.
• Defiance's 3-point shooting made up for lost ground in the second half as they went 7-for-12 after halftime.
• The Yellow Jackets shined on the glass and outrebounded the Wolverines 46-36, including a 16-6 differential in offensive rebounds.
• Season-high five players in double figures led by Evan Angstmann's 19 points and Jalen Brown with 15.
• Zahyem Bradwell posted his first-career double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds and went 6-for-10 at the free throw line.
• Christian Burton also finished with the first double-double of the year with 12 points and 10 rebounds. He also dished out a season-best seven assists. 
• Free throws were a close battle between both teams but proved to be a factor in a close game. Defiance finished 25-for-38 while UM-Dearborn was 26-for-31.
• DC also committed 18 turnovers after finishing the first half with seven.

UP NEXT
The Yellow Jackets return to the court in November after their season ends with the loss. UM-Dearborn will travel to UNOH to play the Racers in the WHAC Opening Round on Tuesday, Feb. 25.

-JACKETS-