LEXINGTON, Ky. – Less that 48 hours after Kyle Tietje matched a career high with 20 points on Thursday night, Kevin Tietje set a new career of his own with 21 points and notched his fourth double-double with 11 rebounds and one block in a 72-67 setback at Transylvania.
Saturday's contest remained close throughout much of the opening period, with the host Pioneers only briefly pulling away for a 12-point lead midway through the half. Defiance quickly clawed back with a 16-5 flurry that was fueled by 13 combined points from the Tietje brothers. The rally cut the deficit to a single point but TU held on to take a 37-34 lead into the break.
The start of the final 20 minutes saw Transylvania methodically work the lead back into double figures, eventually claiming a 59-46 cushion with 9:09 left in the game. Defiance managed to right the ship and trimmed the gap to single digits on a triple from Anthony Brown, before a three-point play and a tip-in from Kevin Tietje brought DC within two points with 4:15 to go.
The Jackets would not find the hoop again until a bucket from Leroy Lewis snapped the drought and a trey from Logan Wolfrum made it a two-point game once again with 1:07 showing on the clock.
Defiance then had its chance to collect a missed shot on TU's ensuing possession with 40 ticks remaining, but the Pioneers grabbed the offensive carom and forced the Jackets to stop the clock by fouling. Transylvania would then put the game out of reach from the free-throw line by hitting its last six attempts to secure the 72-67 victory.
TU's effort from the free-throw line proved to be crucial, as the Pioneers sank 24-of-27 tries for an 88.9-percent clip, compared to an uncharacteristically poor 61.9-percent rate from Defiance in 21 attempts.
The poor shooting carried over in DC's field goal percentage as well, where the Jackets shot just 41.1 percent and connected on only eight-of-25 tries from beyond the arc. Defiance was also haunted by 16 turnovers that led to 19 points for the Pioneers.
The inefficient offense wasted a strong showing from the Purple and Gold on the glass, where Defiance held a 41-27 edge in rebounds and racked up 19 second-chance points.
Kevin and Kyle Tietje led the way, as Kevin hit seven-of-eight field goals and led all players with 21 points and 11 boards. Kyle added 11 points and five rebounds, while Wolfrum chipped in 14 points and dished out six assists.
Defiance (10-11, 5-9 HCAC) will look to snap its current six-game skid on Wednesday, when it hosts Earlham (2-19, 0-14 HCAC) at 7:30 pm inside the Karl H. Weaner Community Center.