Women's Basketball Defeated by Trine (Ind.)

ANGOLA, IND.  --  The Defiance College women's basketball team lost a 74-49 decision against Trine (Ind.) University in  a non-conference game at Hershey Hall in Angola, Ind.

The Yellow  Jacket offense got off to a slow start, shooting just 25.9 percent (seven-of-27) in the first half, including 12.5 percent (one-of-eight) from three-point range.  Trine (7-3) scored the first points of the game, but Defiance (3-7) then tallied the next six points on a layup by freshman guard Whitney Schalk (Bellevue) and a jumper and layup by sophomore forward Kelsey Tietje (Deshler/Patrick Henry) to go up 6-2.  The Jackets were then held scoreless for 3:30 allowing the Thunder to score 12 unanswered points and grab a 14-6 advantage with 11:33 left in the first half.  Trine led the rest of the way and took control of the game with a late 13-2 scoring run to extend the margin to 33-17 at the break.

In the second half, the DC shooting improved as the Jackets converted 52.0 percent (13-of-25) of their attempts, but the Thunder kept pace with the Jackets and maintained a double-digit lead throughout the final 20 minutes.  DC began the period with a triple by sophomore guard Ashley Williams (Leipsic/Pandora-Gilboa) to narrow the gap to 13 points, 33-20, but that would be as close as the Yellow Jackets got.  Trine continued to pull away and recorded its first 20-point advantage with 11:29 to go in the game.  The Thunder went on to lead by as many as 28 points and cruised to the 74-49 final.

Trine shot 46.4 percent (26-of-56) for the game, including 80.0 percent (16-of-20) from the free-throw line.  The Thunder had two players score in double figures led by Whitney Shaffer with a game-high 19 points.  Kelsey Henselmeier added 16 points.  In addition, Nikky Moan grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds.

DC ended up shooting 38.5 percent (20-of-52) overall and 17.6 percent (three-of-17) from long range.  The Jackets also had two players score in double digits with Tietje leading the way with 12 points on four-of-eight (50.0 percent) shooting).  She was also a perfect four-of-four at the charity stripe and pulled down a team-high nine rebounds.  Sophomore guard Erica Smay (Defiance/Tinora) scored 10 points to go along with six rebounds.

Defiance will return home to host Hanover (Ind.) College on Saturday, Jan. 3 in a Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference game at the Karl H. Weaner Center.  Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m.