Defiance Comes Up Short Against Albion (Mich.)

DEFIANCE, OHIO  --  The Defiance College men's basketball team fell short in a heavily contested non-conference matchup against Albion (Mich.) College, 61-52, in the Yellow Jackets' opening game of the 2015 Purple and Gold Financial Men's Tournament at the Karl H. Weaner Center.

Junior Michael Parker (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence North) led all scorers with a game-high 15 points on four-of-11 shooting (36.4 percent), including three three-pointers.  Junior Tyler Alexander (Indianapolis, Ind./Northwest) was the only other DC player in double figures with 13 points.  Senior Wade Wooley (Wauseon) had a strong game on the boards with a team-high 10 rebounds.

As a team, the Jackets shot 30.5 percent (18-of-59) and just 27.3 percent (six-of-22) from three-point range.

Both teams struggled offensively in the first half with Albion (5-5) shooting 32.4 percent (12-of-37) and Defiance (5-4) shot 28.6 percent (eight-of-28).  The lead changed hands four times in the early minutes until a 15-2 scoring run by Albion at the midway point of the period gave the Brittons a 12-point margin, 25-13, with 5:23 left in the half.  

Both teams then traded three-pointers with DC's coming off the hands of Parker, as Albion maintained the double-digit lead.  Defiance recorded the only basket in the final 3:16 on another triple, this time from freshman Blake Dunbar (Napoleon) to get the Jackets to within six points at the break, 28-22.

In the second half, Albion looked to take control with a sizeable lead on several occasions, but DC would find its way back into the game with a series of rallies.  The Brittons opened the period with a three-pointer to go up by nine points, 31-22.  The Jackets eventually fought their way back to within three points, 36-33, at the 11:49 minute mark following a layup by junior Keandre Gilmer (Toledo/Rogers).

The up-and-down pace continued throughout the remainder of the period as a 9-2 run by Albion put the Brittons ahead by 10 points, 47-37, with 8:11 to go in the game.  DC rallied again, and got to within three points, 49-46, thanks to a layup by Alexander with 3:43 remaining.  

But that would be as close as DC would get as a late three-pointer by Albion with a little over a minute to go gave the Brittons an eight-point lead, 57-49.  Defiance looked to make a final comeback with an ensuing three by Dunbar to make it a five-point game, 57-52, with 44 seconds on the clock, but the Brittons sealed the game with a layup and a pair of free-throws en route to the 61-52 final.

Albion finished the game shooting 35.9 percent (23-of-64) for the game and was led in scoring by Corey Wheeler with 13 points.  Robert Ryan rounded out the high scorers with 12 points.  In addition, Jordan Herron grabbed a game-high 15 rebounds.

Defiance will take on Baldwin Wallace University in the consolation game of the Purple and Gold Tournament tomorrow (Wednesday, Dec. 30).  The game is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. at the Weaner Center.