Head coach Peay earns big first win behind strong team performance

DEFIANCE, Ohio - In a tight matchup against Michigan-Dearborn, the Defiance College Yellow Jackets women's basketball team secured its first win of the season, and head coach Courtney Peay's first at the DC helm. 

It was Defiance's fourth quarter free-throw shooting that propped it up 58-48 against the Wolverines, hitting 12-of-14, whereas the first three quarters it shot just 27.3%. 

Chandler Duncan began the scoring for the Yellow Jackets with a layup at the 8:22 mark of the first quarter to earn Defiance its inaugural lead of the game. The Wolverines evened it out at two, which halted all scoring for the next five minutes of play. It remained a close contest for the remainder of the quarter as the Yellow Jackets held UM-Dearborn to a season record six points. 

The Wolverines got a quick jump on the Yellow Jackets to begin the second quarter with a 6-0 run, but this was short-lived as a jumpshot from Morgan Crowe sparked a 12-point, uninterrupted Defiance advantage and an enthusiastic crowd. With three minutes remaining in the half, UM-Dearborn crawled back to come within one, 18-17, at the break, which allowed for the first halftime lead for the Yellow Jackets this season. 

In the third, the Wolverines outscored Defiance 18-16, which saw the Yellow Jackets trailing heading into the final quarter. In the final five minutes, DC took charge and instead of being outscored, did the outsourcing. It put up 15 points to the opponents' nine, 11 of which were free throws. 

THE TURNING POINT

The Yellow Jackets trailed heading into the fourth quarter by a single point. San'Taizia Thomas took advantage of a second-chance opportunity, which kicked off the scoring. At the 2:10 mark, Defiance led 47-42 after making their final 2-point basket. With the disadvantage, the Wolverines fouled to give the Yellow Jackets six opportunities at the line, making 11. Michigan-Dearborn could not capitalize on its chances to score, earning Defiance its first win. 

A CLOSER LOOK

• Chandler Duncan led in scoring with 22 — her sixth time leading

• Candyce Hollins had 11 points off the bench, a career and season high

• Defiance led at half for the first time this season

• The Yellow Jackets had 36 points in the paint to the Wolverines' 22

• Defiance led by as many as 12, its largest lead of the season

• DC shot better in field goals and three pointers

• San'Taizia continued on her blocked spree with three more

• Ali Mowen shot her first free throws of the season going 2-for-2

• This win marked the first for Defiance College women's basketball since Feb. 17, 2023

UP NEXT

Defiance looks to build upon its momentum as it heads to Grace Christian on Friday. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m.

-JACKETS-