Saturday afternoon matchup falls in Midway’s favor, 107-70

DEFIANCE, Ohio - The Defiance College Yellow Jackets welcomed the Midway Eagles to the Karl H. Weaner Center on Saturday afternoon in a post-Thanksgiving matchup — the visiting team running away with the win, 107-70.

DC led 20-16 at the end of the first quarter, which was its first lead after the first 10-minute period of the season as it shot 60% from the 3-point line and 41.2% in total field goals. It took Midway the entire first quarter to warm up as it missed each of its three 3-point tries and shot 33.3% from the field. However, roles reversed in the second quarter.

The Eagles put in 17 of 23 shots, shooting 73.9%, and outscored Defiance 40-10. After 4-of-14 shooting in the second 10-minute period, DC headed into the locker room with a 26-point deficit. 

Taylor Hanes, who started her first game of the season for the Yellow Jackets, got the second half's scoring started at the 8:56 mark and headed on a 10-2 run. Midway came back, attacking the basket, as did DC as the two traded baskets throughout the third quarter. Defiance put up one more point than the Eagles, still trailing 77-52 at the start of the final quarter. 

In the fourth, Midway outshot Defiance 75% to 34.8%, which began with a good jumpshot by Kiera Couch. In the middle of the quarter, the Eagles went on an 11-point run before being interrupted by Na'lani Williams, who almost topped her career-high 15 points, this time around finishing with 14. Midway went on to outscore the Yellow Jackets 30-18, yet Defiance scored its most points of the season.

THE TURNING POINT

The Yellow Jackets led after the first quarter for the first time this season, 20-16, with a stealth offensive attack, capitalized by eight Chandler Duncan points. Midway regrouped and was off to the races to begin the second quarter, which nearly remained constant for the rest of the contest at Defiance. 

A CLOSER LOOK

• Na'lani Williams scored 14 points, just one behind her career high

• Taylor Haynes got her first start, contributing with six points and three assists

• Chandler Duncan's team-leading scoring remained intact with 15 points, additionally leading in assists with four

• Jakiah Mitchell tied a career high with nine points

• Defiance outrebounded Midway 40-39

• The Yellow Jackets' 24 second-chance points topped the Eagles' 17

• DC led by as many as six

UP NEXT

DC's two-consecutive home games will continue on Wednesday at Karl H. Weaner Center as it is set to welcome conference opponent Madonna. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.

-JACKETS-