43 Points in the Second Half Gives DC the Victory
-Emily Denhard
(Defiance, Oh) The Defiance College Women’s basketball team (4-8, 3-2 HCAC) took on Anderson University (1-11, 0-5 HCAC) on January 7th, 2015. The Yellow Jacket’s offense in the second half gave DC their third win in conference play.
The Yellow Jackets were off to a very slow start in the first half, allowing the Ravens to gain a five point lead only three minutes into the game and eventually an eleven-point lead. The Jackets struggled to find the basket throughout the first half, having only an 18% field goal percentage. Despite the point deficiency, DC’s defense stayed on top of the Ravens, accumulating 25 rebounds with 11 from Kelsey Teitje.
There was a change of winds towards the end of the first half. To stop an easy two points for Anderson on a breakaway, #23 Whitney Schalk was able to smack the ball out of the hands of Anderson’s best shooter just before the shot would be taken. The first half finished with the Raven’s ahead 26-18.
DC picked up the pace in the second half out scoring Anderson by 17 points. Megan Zachrich hit a jump shot, setting the stage for Kelsey Tietje and Mekai White went on to score 16 points between the two of them. At this point the Jacket’s offense and defense were on fire and the gap began to close.
With 10:33 left in the game, Whitney Schalk drew a foul and made both free throw shots to give DC the 42-41 lead. From that point on the Jackets never looked back while maintaining the lead through the end of the game.
Ashley Williams, Whitney Schalk, and Keri Conine led the team in assists with three each. Kelsey Teitje recorded 21 total points along with Megan Zachrich and Mekai White added nine and eight of their own. Kelsey Tietje and Erica Smay held the defense having seventeen and seven rebounds in the game.
The final score was 61-52, with the Yellow Jackets scoring 43 points in the second half.
The Yellow Jackets will go on to play at Rose-Hulman on Saturday, with both teams at 3-2 in the Conference, both teams will be looking to move up in the standings.
