DEFIANCE, Ohio – Defiance had four players post double-digit scoring outputs in its matchup with the conference-leading Hanover Panthers on Saturday, but struggled to come up with defensive stops in a 92-75 defeat. Hanover remains undefeated with the win, while the Jackets fall to fifth place with a 2-2 mark in the HCAC.
The first half turned into a track meet with the two teams combining for 22 fast break points and 90 points total. Defiance was more than happy to turn up the tempo, and raced out to a 14-13 lead on a Tasha Stucke jumper after 4:30 of action. However, Hanover tied the game and then took the lead 12 seconds later on a pair of free throws from Torin Franz, and the Panthers never looked back, holding the lead for the remainder of the contest.
After Hanover pushed its lead to as many as 13 points with 4:50 left in the half, Defiance closed out the period strong with an extended 12-5 run that closed the gap to six points at the break. Erica King led the way for DC with 11 points and four boards in the period to keep the Jackets within striking distance.
Hanover stayed hot in the second half, shooting 51.6 percent from the field, and gradually pulled away from the Jackets to claim a 17-point lead at the end of regulation. Freshman center, Hannah Harshman, led the Jackets with 10 points in the second period as she went toe-to-toe with Hanover's all-conference center, Molly Martin, in the paint. Harshman ended the game with a career-high 18 points on seven-of-eight shooting from the floor to go along with six rebounds.
Erica King posted 15 points and six rebounds, Tasha Stucke recorded 13 points and five steals, and Molly Bateman finished with 13 points for her fourth-straight game with double-digit points.
The Lady Jackets will take a break from conference competition and host their annual Pro Rehab – Hubbard Co. Tournament on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 17-18. Allegheny College, Brescia University and Indiana Wesleyan University will make the trip to Defiance to compete in the event. DC's first game is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 17, against Allegheny College (6-3).