Rochester Christian wins on senior night at Defiance, 76-47

DEFIANCE, Ohio - Defiance College hosted the Rochester Christian Warriors on senior night at the Karl H. Weaner Center where Katlin Barrett was recognized for her four-year stint wearing the Yellow Jacket uniform, as well as their student manager, Maile Misleh-Cowan. 

As the final buzzer sounded in Defiance's last home game of the season, RCU claimed the victory, 76-47.

Wednesday's contest started off with the momentum on the Warriors (9-18, 8-11 WHAC) side, as they struck first with a 12-point run. Candyce Hollins hit a big three with 6:44 on the clock to put the Yellow Jackets (3-23, 1-18 WHAC) on the board. After four quick points from RCU, Barrett made her first bucket as the sole senior in play. Defiance and Rochester Christian traded fouls and each earned opportunities at the free-throw line; the Warriors led 20-9 with just under three minutes remaining. The quarter ended with another three by Hollins – the Jackets down 13. 

The second period began the same as the first, except Ali Mowen stepped up for a triple. Defiance held RCU at 29 points for 4:29 minutes of play, while in the same amount of time, DC was able to build some momentum with seven uncontested points. The Warriors clung tight to their lead despite a huge block from Barrett to regain possession. When halftime hit Rochester Christian maintained a 37-22 lead. Defiance, though, prevailed in three-point shooting and free-throw percentage compared to the opponent (21.4% vs. 60%, 60% to 62.5%, respectively). 

Taylor Haynes began the second half's scoring with a layup, which was preceded by a bucket from RCU's leading scorer Jacey Somers. For the next six minutes, the scoring remained back-and-forth until a Demi Rodriguez free throw sparked another run for the Warriors, this time for nine points lasting until the end of the third, Rochester Christian up 59-35.

To begin the final quarter, Defiance headed out on a six-point scoring spree until a 3-pointer from the Red and Black made an interruption. The Jackets traded baskets with the Warriors throughout the fourth, but could not gain the advantage.  

In her final game on Marv Hohenberger Court, Barrett notched six points and three rebounds. In her basketball career wearing the Purple and Gold, the Chicago, Illinois native played 465 minutes with 85 points.  

THE TURNING POINT

The start of the fourth quarter shifted the momentum of the game in Defiance's favor with its hot six-point start, which was riddled with three missed shots from RCU, accompanied by two fouls and two turnovers. With 7:34 left in the contest, a good three-ball from Kamryn Lowry sparked the Warriors' scorers with the push they needed to end the game on top.

A CLOSER LOOK

• Jourdyn Wynn achieved her second-consecutive double-double, leading in both categories with 13 points and 11 rebounds. 

• This was Defiance's third contest in a row with over 50% shooting from the free-throw line. It shot 64.3% on Wednesday. 

• The Yellow Jackets led in 3-point shooting on the night, 30.8% to the opponents' 24%.

• Morgan Crowe went 4-for-4 from the line.

• Katlin Barrett, Candyce Hollins and Crowe each notched a block.

• Haynes, who leads DC in steals with an average of two per contest, had six takeaways.  

UP NEXT

Defiance will visit UM-Dearborn Fieldhouse on Saturday for a contest against the Wolverines. Earlier this season, the Yellow Jackets claimed victory over the Maize and Blue 58-48. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. and the men's teams will follow. 

-JACKETS-