Wooley Posts Double-Double in Loss Against Heidelberg

TIFFIN, OHIO  --  Senior Wade Wooley (Wauseon) recorded his first double-double of the season, and third of his career, with a career-high 18 points to go along with 13 rebounds in an 85-59 loss against non-conference opponent Heidelberg University at Seiberling Gymnasium in Tiffin.

Wooley's 18 points were also a game-tying high and his 13 boards were a game-high.  He scored his 18 points on six-of-seven shooting 85.7 percent) from the floor and six-of-seven shooting at the free-throw line.  Wooley also recorded game-tying highs of three assists and two blocks.  

The Yellow Jackets had one other player score in double figures in junior Michael Parker (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence North) with 17 points while shooting five-of-nine (55.6 percent) overall, three-of-seven (42.9 percent) from three-point range and four-of-six (66.7 percent) from the free-throw line.

Poor shooting would be the story of the game for Defiance (1-3) as the Jackets shot just 29.7 percent (17-of-57) from the field for the game, including 26.7 percent (eight-of-30) from beyond the arc.  DC shot 16.0 percent (four-of-25) in the first half which allowed Heidelberg (3-2) to outscore DC, 15-4, in the first 6:02 to record its first double-digit lead of the game.  

A pair of free-throws by sophomore Devin Mangas (Leipsic) sparked an ensuing 7-0 scoring run by DC to get to within four points, 15-11, at the 12:47 minute mark.  But that would be as close as the Jackets would get the rest of the way as the Student Princes responded with an 8-0 run of their own to extend the margin back to double figures, 23-11, with just over nine minutes to go in the half.

Heidelberg continued to pull away with a series of runs and posted its largest lead of the first half of 16 points, 33-17, with 2:34 remaining on its way to a 15-point margin at the break with a score of 35-20.

The Defiance shooting picked up in the second half as the Jackets improved to 40.6 percent (13-of-32) shooting from the floor and 36.8 percent (seven-of-19) from long range.  DC narrowed the gap to 10 points in the early minutes of the second period following a three-pointer by freshman Blake Dunbar (Napoleon) making the score 39-29.  

The Student Princes ended the possible rally with five unanswered points to extend the margin to 15 points, 44-29, and didn't look back.  Heidelberg reached the 20-point lead plateau for the first time in the contest with 10 minutes remaining and recorded its largest lead of 26 points with the final score of 85-59.

Heidelberg was led in scoring by DeAvery Collins with 18 points and was followed by Isaac Everette with 13 points.  Jackson Blue rounded out the high scorers with 11 points and also grabbed 10 rebounds.

Defiance will look to end its three-game losing streak when it travels to North Manchester, Ind. on Wednesday, Dec. 2 to take on Manchester (Ind.) University in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference opener.  The game is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.