Women’s Basketball battles MSJ but Lions pull away in fourth quarter for 75-55 win

CINCINNATI, Ohio - The Defiance College women's basketball team gave Mount St. Joseph everything they wanted and more Wednesday night at the Harrington Center, but the host Lions exploded for 28 points in the final quarter which propelled them to a 75-55 victory over the Yellow Jackets.

The Lions improve to 18-4 overall and 12-3 in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference and the Yellow Jackets drop to 0-22 overall and 0-15 in the HCAC.

TURNING POINT

Zadria King started the fourth quarter with a jump shot to bring the Yellow Jackets within two, 47-45. The host Lions then exploded for 11 straight points to take a 58-45 lead and propelled them to their big fourth quarter in which they outscored the Yellow Jackets 28-12. The 11-0 run expanded just over four minutes.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Both teams started the game ice cold and the Lions missed their first seven shots in the game. A layup by Zadria King put the Yellow Jackets on top 43 seconds into the game. The game remained 2-0 for the next three minutes as the Yellow Jackets were unable to expand their lead and the Lions tied the game at two at the 6:15 mark. The two teams traded buckets on the next two possessions before the Lions rattled off five straight to take a 9-4 lead. WIth the game tied at 4, the Lions would outscore the Yellow Jackets 11-4 during the final 4:27 of the first quarter to take a 15-8 lead after the first quarter of action. Eight turnovers plagued Defiance in the period, but MSJ only scored five points off the miscues.

The Yellow Jackets went scoreless for the first 2:04 of the second quarter and the Lions had expanded their lead to 11, 19-8. A three by Karrie Smith snapped the scoring drought and brought DC back to within eight, 19-11. That three ignited a 9-0 run for the Yellow Jackets as Mone'a McElroy knocked down back-to-back threes to follow the three by Smith. The Yellow Jackets were unable to get any closer in the period and MSJ closed the half on a 5-0 run and led 34-25 at the break. 

The Yellow Jackets put together a strong third quarter and outscored the hosts 18-13 in the period. The two teams went scoreless for the first 1:21 of the third before a jump shot by MSJ's Morgan Jenkins gave the Lions their double digit lead back. Trailing 38-28, the Yellow Jackets went on a 7-0 run to get back within three, 38-35. Zadria King and Karrie Smith both made two free throws during the run and Ali Mowen hit a three. Another three by McElroy brought DC within one, 39-38, but they were never able to get over the hump and retake the lead as the Lions had an answer every time. The teams traded baskets for the rest of the quarter and MSJ took a four-point lead entering the fourth. 

King started the scoring in the fourth but the Yellow Jackets still trailed 47-45. The Lions really began to take control of the game from there on out as they erupted for 11 straight points again to take a 13-point lead. The Yellow Jackets committed 13 fouls in the final quarter which led to 20 free throw attempts by the Lions. To their credit, they were clutch from the line as they converted 18 of their 20 attempts in the quarter to ice the game.

BRINGING THE STING

• Zadria King led the way again and posted her fifth double double (20 points, 13 rebounds. 

• Mone'a McElroy scored a career-high nine points and knocked down a career-high three pointers.

• Ali Mowen led the way with three assists.

• King, Karrie Smith, Taylor Bates, and Kaiya Albert all came away with two steals each.

• Addy Allen chipped in with nine points.

UP NEXT

The Yellow Jackets return home for their next two and final home games of the year beginning with Hanover this Saturday (Feb.10). Tipoff will be at approximately 2 p.m. following the conclusion of the men's game at noon.