Second Half Struggles Derail Jackets in Regular-Season Finale

FRANKLIN, Ind. – The Lady Jackets wrapped up the 2009-10 regular season on Saturday, losing in a 67-62 decision at Franklin College (19-6, 13-3 HCAC). DC will enter the HCAC Tournament as the number four seed, meaning they will host the number five seed, Manchester University, on Tuesday.

The two teams went back-and-fourth during the first-half in a crucial game with conference title implications on the line. Franklin grabbed the early lead, but the Yellow Jackets were on fire from long range, and came back to go on top (9-8) at the 15:00 mark. After swapping leads for the next five minutes, DC began to pull away as they stepped up their defense and held the Grizzlies to 22.2 percent shooting in the first half. Tasha Stucke's three-pointer with 24 second left on the clock was DC's sixth trifecta of the period, and gave the Yellow Jackets a 10-point advantage at the break.

DC's lead quickly evaporated in the second half as Franklin opened the period on an 18-to-seven run to claim a one-point advantage at the 13:52 mark. The Jackets held on to a 58-52 lead in the waning minutes, but two quick three-pointers by Franklin tied the game, 58-58, with just under five minutes to play and swung the momentum in the favor of the Grizzlies. Franklin played like an inspired team from that point on, feeding off of an ecstatic home crowd to seal the win and a share of the conference title.

Shavonda Price was fantastic in her regular season finale, recording team-highs in points (16), rebounds (13), and steals (6). The sophomore guard extended her lead as the top stealer in the HCAC, bumping her total to 60 takeaways on the season.  

The Lady Jackets will host the Spartans of Manchester College (6-19, 6-10 HCAC) in the opening round of the HCAC Tournament on Tuesday, February 23. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.