Yellow Jackets topple No. 12 Indiana Tech on Saturday

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - The Defiance Yellow Jackets stunned the 12th-ranked Indiana Tech Warriors with a 78-75 win on the road on Saturday at the Schaefer Center.

The Yellow Jackets (11-10, 6-10 WHAC) snapped a four-game losing streak that featured close losses by a combined 16 points and secured the program's first win over a ranked opponent since joining the NAIA last season. For the Warriors (16-5, 12-4 WHAC), it was Indiana Tech's first home loss this season and second in a row.

Defiance got their hosts' attention in the first half by winning the opening 20 minutes 39-35, and shot 54 percent with 4 3-pointers. They spread the wealth around with five different DC scorers posting 6 points or more before half. The Jackets led by as many as 9 points, which followed a 3-pointer by Isaiah Meade-Moss with 3 minutes before the half. In the second half, Indiana Tech regained the lead in the first minutes out of the break but treys by Baylen Blockberger, Evan Angstmann, and Donovan Stone charged up the Jackets near the halfway point.

After the Warriors fought back to knot the score at 61, a dramatic back-and-forth battle ensued the remainder of the contest. Indiana Tech pulled ahead 73-69 with just over 4 minutes to play but Angstmann responded with a clutch 3-pointer for Defiance. DC forced Indiana Tech to go one-and-done on their end and two offensive rebounds for the Jackets led to a go-ahead bucket by Carter Sudhoff. Angstmann added on another 3-pointer to give Defiance some breathing room that helped secure the win, capitalizing on another missed bucket by Indiana Tech.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS 

• Defiance shot 46 percent from the floor, fueled by 10 3-pointers.
• Indiana Tech won the rebounding battle, 35-34, while DC limited their turnovers to just 9 compared to forcing the Warriors into 11.
• The contest featured 9 ties and 15 lead changes.
• All 8 players who saw the floor for Defiance contributed crucial minutes. Every player got in the scoring and rebounding columns while 7 of 8 had at least one assist as well.
• Evan Angstmann led the team with 21 points, 19 of which was in the second half. It was the sophomore's sixth game with at least 20 points this year.
• Carter Sudhoff was had 8 points in each half on his way to a 16-point, 7-rebound afternoon that was highlighted by the final lead change of the day.
• Christian Burton nearly missed a double-double, scoring 9 points with 8 assists.
• In defeating Indiana Tech, it was the first win over the Warriors since joining the WHAC and first overall against IT since the 1987-88 season.
• Also in the win, the Yellow Jackets avoided falling below .500 for the first time this season and garnered a crucial conference win while pursuing a conference tournament berth.

UP NEXT
The Yellow Jackets return to action at home on Wednesday at the Karl H. Weaner Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. with DC hosting the Cornerstone Golden Eagles.

-JACKETS-