Jackets Hold On for 64-59 Victory Over Anderson

DEFIANCE, Ohio – Defiance held off a scrappy Anderson squad for 64-59 victory to remain one game back in the HCAC title hunt. The Jackets weathered several late runs by the Ravens to clinch a spot in the upcoming Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament.

Anderson jumped out to an early 9-6 advantage, but the DC defense would put on a display in the remaining 14 minutes of the half. The Jackets suffocated the Anderson offense, holding the visitors to just 25 percent shooting in the period. Meanwhile, Defiance shot 50 percent from the field, while closing out the stanza on a 24-12 run to head into the break with a 30-21 lead.

The Jackets appeared to be cruising to their fourth-straight victory at the Karl H. Weaner Center, opening up a 12-point lead, 43-31, on an Anthony Pettaway layup. However, the Ravens went to work on the glass to scratch their way back into the contest. Anderson used ten points off second-chance opportunities to help key a 19-5 spurt that gave the Ravens their first lead, 50-48, since the 12:10 mark in the opening period.

Pettaway tied the contest on DC's next possession, before an electrifying dunk by Kyle Tietje and a trey from Heath Armstrong capped off a 7-0 run that gave the Jackets a 55-50 advantage. Anderson regained the lead over a minute later on Ty Riddle's trifecta, but Defiance would use a pair of layups and two free throws apiece from Anthony Brown and Nick Sales to pull out the victory.

DC shot an even 50 percent from the field, due in large part to the post tandem of Pettaway and Sales. Pettaway led the Jackets with 16 points on seven-of-nine shooting, while Sales added 14 points and a game-high 11 caroms.

One game removed from an unproductive night from the Defiance reserves, freshmen Kyle Tietje and Anthony Brown gave the Jackets a needed scoring punch off the bench. Tietje hit three shots from beyond the arc on his way to 11 points, while Brown chipped in with nine points.

Defiance knocked down seven shots from downtown, including a pair of treys by junior Eric Stolly. Armstrong recorded a game-high three steals, while Mike Floyd, the HCAC assists leader, topped all players with eight helpers.

Defiance (14-7, 9-3 HCAC) will be back in action on Wednesday, February 11, when it travels to Mount St. Joseph for a 7:30 tip-off. The Jackets will be looking to for their seventh win in their last eight games.