Women's Basketball Holds Off HCAC Opponent Franklin

FRANKLIN, IND. - The Yellow Jackets traveled to Franklin College this afternoon for a Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference match up with the Grizzlies. Defiance defeated Franklin in the contest 58-49 for the early Conference victory.

The Purple and Gold (1-6 overall, 1-1 HCAC) was led on the day by freshman Taylor Day (West Mansfield/North Union) with a team-high 11 points on 4-of-9 shooting from the field.

Franklin surged ahead early in the opening minutes before a three-pointer by junior Liz Martin (Bellefontaine) pulled DC within 4-3 at the six minute mark. The Grizzlies responded moments later as they connected for back-to-back three-pointers to extend their lead to 12-5 with just over three minutes remaining. The hot streak continued late into the period as they entered the second quarter holding the 18-8 advantage.

 The Purple and Gold looked to get something going in the second period as junior Danielle Carruthers (New London) halted the charging Grizzlies, cutting the deficit to 20-10 with just over eight minutes till the break. Freshman Nysha Speed (Sterling Heights, Mich./L'Anse Creuse North) made her way into the scores column as she knocked down a three-pointer to pull DC within 20-13. The Yellow Jackets continued to chip at the Franklin lead as they used a 10-0 run led by Day to enter the intermission with the slight 27-25 advantage. 

Defiance looked to carry the momentum into the second half as a deep ball by Day gave the Yellow Jackets the 30-28 advantage with 7:33 remaining. However, Franklin responded using a 6-0 run to regain the lead with 2:48 to play, 36-33. The teams continued to battle as Speed once more deemed clutch tying the contest in the final seconds of the third period, 38-38.

In the final period of action, the Purple and Gold looked to pull away as senior Sam Ervin (Bloomdale/Elmwood) hit a momentum shifting three-pointer to capture the four point lead, 42-38. The late rally continued as Carruthers made a free throw to cap off a 6-0 run with 6:48 to play. Franklin again looked to rally back as they slowly erased the deficit pulling within 46-43 with just over four minutes remaining. The exchange of points continued before senior Lauren Rogers (Munger, Mich./Bay City Central) connected for a pair of clutch free throws pushing the DC advantage to 50-47. Junior Shelby Stamm (Bellevue) hit the final bucket of the contest en route to the early season Conference win.

The Yellow Jackets return to action on Saturday, December 8 at Hanover. Tipp off is set for 1:00 p.m.