Defiance drops contest to Aquinas, Duncan scores 15

DEFIANCE, Ohio - On Friday at the Karl H. Weaner Center, the Aquinas Saints slid past the Defiance College Yellow Jackets 70-39. 

DC (0-10, 0-6 WHAC) was without its second and third-leading scorers Na'lani Williams and Makaiya Thomas when hosting the No. 4 team in the conference — the Saints (7-5, 5-2 WHAC) — on Friday afternoon. However, it got off to just as hot a start as its opponent. Aquinas and the second-leading scorer in the conference, Claire Gregwer, held the Yellow Jackets off for a 7-0 run to begin the contest. Just as quickly as the Saints built their lead, Defiance put a stop to it as it glided ahead by two with a 9-point run with 2:25 remaining in the first quarter. 

Aquinas finished the first 10-minute period with five consecutive points to jump back out to a 14-9 lead as the second quarter was set to begin. Ali Mowen put up a 3-pointer to cut into the Saints' lead, which was met with seven away-team points. Aquinas remained steady, shooting 40% in the second, to finish the half with a 30-16 advantage. 

In the second half, the Saints outscored the Yellow Jackets 40-23, which was finalized by five fourth quarter Aquinas 3-pointers.

THE TURNING POINT

Though Defiance only shot 22.2% in the first quarter, its rebounding was able to keep it in the game as Aquinas struggled to knock down shots. The Yellow Jackets were able to come back from a seven-point, first-half deficit to lead the game by two, 9-7, with under three minutes left in the first. However, Aquinas continued to shoot roughly 45%, while Defiance stayed steady in the 20% shooting range, which prompted the Saints to grab the lead to end the first and remain ahead. 

A CLOSER LOOK

• Defiance won the turnover margin, 14-17, for the first time this season

• Chandler Duncan led the team with 15 points 

• Candyce Hollins had a team-high seven total rebounds

• Aquinas and Defiance each scored 18 points in the paint

• San'Taizia continued her streak of achieving at least one block per game to three-straight games with six on the season

UP NEXT

Defiance prepares for another home matchup on Wednesday against Michigan-Dearborn. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. and will be followed by the men's team. 

-JACKETS-