Women's Basketball Falls in HCAC Action Against Hanover

DEFIANCE, Ohio - The Defiance College women's basketball team dropped a Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference contest Saturday afternoon against Hanover, 92-62.

The Yellow Jackets saw three players finish in double figures paced by junior Sam Ervin (Bloomdale/Elmwood) with a team-high 19 points and seven rebounds. Junior Lauren Rogers (Munger, Mich./Bay City Central) chipped in 12 points, while senior Mekai White (Cincinnati/Winton Woods) added 11 points for DC.

Hanover took the lead early in the opening period and never looked back using a 6-0 run over a two minute span to capture the 10-4 advantage. The Yellow Jackets attempted to get something going late in the first period as Ervin connected from deep to cut the deficit, 10-7. However, the Hanover defense stepped up holding the Purple and Gold scoreless for the last four minutes to capture the 19-7 lead. 

Both teams struggled to find offense early in the second period before White delivered a jumper in the lane followed by back-to-back scores from Ervin to chip at the Panther lead, 21-13. The Purple and Gold continued to find its rhythm on the offensive side of the floor as Rogers hit a shot from deep to pull DC within 23-16. The Panthers responded putting together another run with 4:27 to play extending the Hanover advantage to 40-22 at the break.

The Panther defense made a huge statement in the third quarter as they held the Purple and Gold scoreless for nearly four minutes before Rogers connected from mid range with 6:34 to play, 52-24. Hanover continued to fire on all cylinders extending its lead once more in the third period with a layup as time expired, 70-37.

The Defiance offense came alive early in the fourth quarter as White drained back-to-back three pointers, followed by another deep ball from junior Ashley Lee (Millington, Mich.) with 7:16 remaining, 76-46. Sophomore Liz Martin (Bellefontaine) would get in on the action as she two landed back-to-back three pointers to pull DC within 82-52. The Panthers weathered the storm and held off the Purple and Gold for the 92-62 win.

The Yellow Jackets return to action Monday, December 18th as they travel to Siena Heights. Tip off is set for 6:00 p.m.