Four Yellow Jackets Reach Double-Digits as Quakers Prevail

DEFIANCE, OHIO - The Defiance College men's basketball team played host to the Earlham College Quakers on Wednesday night. Defiance battled to the very end against the visitors, ultimately falling 86-82. 

The Yellow Jackets were led offensively by Sean Tyson (Columbus / Centennial) with 20 points. The freshman's scoring total is his fourth consecutive double-digit outing. Marell Jordan (West Lafayette, Ind. / Lafayette Jefferson) followed on the score sheet with 16 points, while Devin Goodwyn (Detroit, Mich. / Chippewa Valley) scored a career high 15. Tyler Andrew wrapped up the double-digit scoring list for DC, as he finished with 11 of his own. On the glass, Micaiah Cox (Ft. Recovery / Ft. Recovery) reeled in seven rebounds, leading Defiance in his season-high 20 minutes of playing time. 

The HCAC contest saw the Quakers jump out to the first lead, springing to an 8-2 advantage. Goodwyn quickly did his part to flip the script, scoring DC's next 13 points. With just over 11 minutes left in the first half of action, the Yellow Jackets grabbed their first lead of the night, 15-14. 

The high-energy crowd saw the sides continue to battle back-and-forth, swapping leads numerous times as the half wound down. A Tyson layup with 42 seconds remaining brought the game to a 39-37 Quaker lead, and that is how the score remained as the squads headed to the locker rooms. 

The second half brought exciting action as both teams looked to grab an advantage in the tight contest. With a 71-70 DC lead, Coach Scott Cutter's side would look to close out the Quakers. Earlham rallied, ultimately going on an eight point run to regain control. A Jordan layup with just 40 ticks left had the Yellow Jackets looking poised to finish strong, down 83-80. Despite another Jordan layup, the Quakers were able to finish the job from the charity stripe. 

On the day, the Yellow Jackets shot 45.6% (31-68) from the field, and 36.4% (8-22) from beyond the arc. DC won the turnover battle, forcing the Quakers into 13 mistakes. 

The defeat brings the Defiance record to 2-14 overall and 0-9 in the HCAC. The Yellow Jackets will continue the quest for their first conference win this Saturday, Jan. 19, as they travel to Rose-Hulman for a 1:00 pm tip-off.