Poor Shooting Dooms Jackets in 58-48 Loss Versus Transy

DEFIANCE, Ohio – The shots were not falling for the Lady Jackets on Wednesday evening, as a matchup of the HCAC's top-two scoring offenses turned into a defensive battle. Transylvania topped the Jackets, 58-48, dropping Defiance to 2-3 in the conference.

The 48-point showing was DC's first time south of the 50-point mark since January, 2007.

Defiance entered the game averaging a conference-best seven three-pointers per contest, but connected on just two of their next 20 shots from long range after Tasha Stucke opened the game with a three-pointer that gave the Jackets an early lead. The team was efficient from the free throw line, hitting seven of nine shots to exceed their average free throw shooting percentage, but the nine trips to the free throw line was a season-low, and DC's first time to post single-digit free throw attempts since January, 2010.

Despite the offensive struggles, the Lady Jackets hung tough with a talented Transy squad for most of the game, and trailed by just two points midway through the second half before the Pioneers went on a run. Transylvania's offense ranks first in the HCAC with nearly 70 points per game, and Wednesday was just its third time this season to be held below the 60-point mark.

Tasha Stucke posted ten points on four-of-eight shooting to lead the Lady Jackets, but was held without an assist for the first time since the 2009-10 regular season finale. Molly Bateman contributed eight points and one assist, while Hannah Harshman collected seven points and seven rebounds in 17 minutes.

The Lady Jackets will look to rebound when they head to Cincinnati for an HCAC showdown with the College of Mount St. Joseph (2-8, 2-2 HCAC) on Saturday, Jan. 8. Tip-off is set for 3:00 p.m.