DC Advances to Title Game with 70-68 Thriller Over Alma

HOLLAND, Mich. – Courtney Schmersal's two free throws with 15 ticks left help Defiance grab a 70-68 victory over Alma College on Friday, November 21. The Jackets advance to the championship game of the Hope Tip-Off Tournament with the win, where they will face nationally ranked Hope.

DC raced out to an early lead in the opening four minutes of the contest, as Katie McNamara sank two free throws to give the Jackets an 8-2 advantage. Alma clamped down on defense to control the rest of the half, holding Defiance to just 28 percent shooting in the period. Megan Hoblet had 13 points and eight rebounds in the half to help the Scots go into the break with a 36-29 lead.

Trailing by seven at the half, DC wasted no time climbing back in the contest as a jumper by Amber Bailey tied the game at 41 just five minutes into the period. Defiance's bench led a second half rally, helping DC open up a nine-point lead with 6:44 left in the game. The bench scored 15 of the Jacket's next 23 points to put them up 64-55. However, Alma caught fire over the next three minutes, as Heather Keenan's bucket capped a 13-1 spurt that put the Scots up 68-65.

Defiance tightened up the reigns defensively with the game on the line, holding Alma scoreless over the final four minutes.  Holly Stein ended the Scots' run, connecting on one-of-two shots from the charity stripe to pull the Jackets within two, 68-66. Freshman Shavonda Price's bucket tied the game with a minute remaining, before yet another stop by the Jacket defense set up Schmersal's heroics from the line.

DC won the battle of the boards, 53-41, pulling down 21 offensive boards to overcome its 32.8 percent shooting from the field. The Jackets had a 33-11 advantage on the glass in the second half, as Bailey and Stein each pulled down nine rebounds in the period.

Bailey's 13-point, 16-rebound effort led the way for Defiance, while Stein finished with 12 points and 10 boards. Shavonda Price recorded a game-high five steals, while adding eight points and two assists. Defiance got 29 points from its bench on the night, led by Schmersal's career-high 18.

Defiance (2-1) will play in the title match Saturday afternoon, when it faces Hope at 3:00 p.m.