Yellow Jackets Fall on Day One of North Park Tournament

CHICAGO, ILL. - The Defiance College women's basketball team fell in the opening round of the North Park Tournament on Friday evening. The Purple and Gold dropped the contest 53-40.

Defiance was led on the day by Lauren Rogers (Munger, Mich./Bay City Central) with eight points and six rebounds.

The Purple and Gold found themselves trailing early in the first quarter before a layup from Rogers with 7:14 remaining gave DC its first lead of the contest, 5-4. The two teams continued to exchange points for much of the first period before another Rogers score gave Defiance the 8-7 advantage after one period of play.

Defiance looked to extend its lead in the second quarter as a layup from freshman Taylor Day (West Mansfield/North Union) pushed the advantage to 10-7 before Elmhurst responded taking the lead back with 8:27 remaining before the intermission. The game would remain tied for several minutes when freshman Nysha Speed (Sterling Heights, Mich./L'Anse Creuse North) connected for two with 5:54 to play to cut the deficit to 15-13. However, Elmhurst would use the deep ball to extend its lead late in the second quarter pushing the advantage to 22-13 with just over four minute remaining. They would enter the break with the 24-15 halftime advantage.

The Yellow Jackets looked to get something going early in the second half as they connected for back to back scores cutting the deficit to 24-19 with just 7:42 to paly in the third. Junior Shelby Stamm (Bellevue) stepped up late in the third quarter as she made a lay up with just over four minutes remaining to pull DC within 24-21. But again Ellmhurst responded entering the fourth period with a 34-28 lead. 

In the fourth quarter, defense played a major role early before Elmhurst connected for a jumper that ended the scoreless drought with 8:20 to play. They would eventually garner their largest lead of the night following a layup minutes later that would seal the 53-40 victory.

Following the game Head Coach Allan King added "It was a learning experience this evening for our team going up against an experience team, hopefully we are able to take these lessons and apply them quickly. How well we are able to do that will determine our future success."

The Yellow Jackets finished the contest 16 of 45 from the field for 35.6 percent and connected for, four three-pointers.

Defiance returns to action on Saturday, November 17 as they take on tournament host North Park.