Lady Jackets Let One Slip Against the Spartans

DEFIANCE, Ohio – Defiance received its first conference loss of the season on Wednesday, as the visiting Spartans of Manchester erupted with 52 second-half points, and left the Jackets on the losing end of an 85-74 shootout.  The loss drops DC into a four-way tie for second place with a 2-1 record in the HCAC.

The game marked the first meeting between the two squads since DC ousted the Spartans in the HCAC Quarterfinals last February, and both teams played with playoff-like intensity from the opening tip. Nine lead changes and six ties took place during the opening half before the two squads went into halftime with the game knotted at 33-33.

Defiance has been a strong second-half team all season, and after breaking open a seven-point lead in the first six minutes of the second stanza, the Jackets looked well on their way to their third-straight victory. The Spartans had other ideas however, and an Ashley Poe layup with 13:45 left in the game sparked an extended 18-3 run that ended with DC trailing by eight with 9:51 showing on the clock.

The Jackets stayed within striking distance, and cut the deficit to four points with five minutes remaining, but could not sustain the rally after their senior point guard and floor general, Tasha Stucke, was forced to leave the game early with foul trouble.

Kim Comden quietly posted the best game of her young career for Defiance with 19 points and 12 rebounds in 25 minutes. Freshman center, Hannah Harshman, had a nice game as well, posting eight points and six boards through 12 minutes of action.

The Lady Jackets will look to bounce back when they host the undefeated Hanover Panthers (5-0, 3-0 HCAC) on Saturday, December 11. Tip-off is set for 1:00 p.m.