DEFIANCE, Ohio – The Lady Jackets have already gone further than any other DC women’s basketball team since the 2003-04 squad, which got bounced from the HCAC Tournament in the semifinals by Anderson University. They will attempt to take it one step further on Friday night in a semifinal showdown with top-seeded Franklin College.

Defiance is coming off an, 83-70, victory over Manchester College on Tuesday night in the opening round of the HCAC Tournament. The win snapped a two-game skid for the Jackets, who had lost three of their previous four going into the match. The team seems to be getting back on track at just the right time, as they posted season-highs in field goal percentage (47.5), three-point field goal percentage (50.0) and assists (22) against the Spartan’s third-ranked defense.

 In the two previous matchups between DC and Franklin College this season, the two teams have split, 1-1, with both teams pulling out the victory at home. Defiance won easily (81-63) back on January 16 in front of their home crowd, but came up short, 67-62, at Franklin on Saturday, February 20 in their regular season finale. In the loss at Franklin, the Lady Jackets let a 10-point halftime lead slip away as the Grizzlies rallied in the waning minutes of the game to claim the victory.

Fans at the Spurlock Center on Friday night are in for a treat with a game that boasts the HCAC’s first and third-ranked offenses. The Grizzlies come into the game on a three-game winning streak with their last loss coming at home against Hanover College on Wednesday, February 10.

The winner of Friday night’s game will advance to the championship game, which will be held in Franklin, Ind., at 5:00 p.m. An automatic bid to the NCAA Div. III Tournament will go to the victor.

General admission tickets will be five dollars per person and will be available at the door. Tickets for senior citizens and students will cost four dollars. Children aged 11 or under will be admitted free of charge. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

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