Men’s and Women’s Basketball Weekend Recap
Written by: Hailey Krawczyk
The Defiance College Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams had a weekend full of gameplay as the regular season dies down. In doubleheader action, the Yellow Jackets swept the visiting Franklin College Grizzlies on Saturday, January 22nd. On Saturday, the women’s team faced off with tip-off set for 2 pm in the Karl H. Weaner Center against Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) opponent, the Franklin College Grizzlies (5-12, 3-7). The Yellow Jackets were led by junior Taylor Steinbrunner and senior Taylor Day. Both Steinbrunner and Day chipped in 11 points for the Yellow Jackets victory. Day recorded 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals, while Steinbrunner added 4 rebounds and 2 steals.
Another key factor in the Yellow Jacket’s big win is the bench. Junior, Lexie Sparks recorded 8 points off the bench. In total, the DC bench outscored Franklin’s bench 19-17. The Yellow Jackets won the HCAC contest, 65-60. The women’s team would face off next on Sunday, January 23rd, at home against the Hiram Terriers. The men’s team quickly faced off at 4 pm in the Karl H. Weaner Center against the Franklin Grizzlies (8-9, 4-6), soaring past them to round out the day of HCAC action.
The Yellow Jackets defeated the Grizzlies 65-52. The Yellow Jackets were led to victory by a strong starting bench. Seniors Tyler Andrew and Marell Jordan chipped in 12 and 7 points. Andre Edwards added 10 rebounds, and sophomore Dejsani Beamon added 9 points. Other key components to this big Yellow Jacket win include the bench outscoring the Grizzlies bench 31-
27, shooting 26 of 63 as a team from the field and outscoring the Grizzlies 11-2 off turnovers.
The energy within the Karl H. Weaner Center also helped to excel the Yellow Jackets to a win. The Yellow Jackets improve to 6-8 overall. The Yellow Jackets will hit the road for their next three games, looking to collect wins at the HCAC competitors Mt. St. Joseph University (6-10-0), Hanover College (13-2-0), and Manchester University (7-10-). Rounding out the weekend, the DC Women’s team continued to play again on Sunday, January 23rd, versus a non-HCAC opponent, the Hiram Terriers (4-11).
The Yellow Jackets played a tough game, losing the game 70-69 to a buzzer-beater shot made by the Terriers in the final seconds of the fourth quarter. The Jackets fought tooth and nail with a big-time performance from junior Taylor Steinbrunner. Steinbrunner surpassed her career-high of 25 points from earlier this season against HCAC opponent Mt. St. Joe, recording a total of 26 points against Hiram. Steinbrunner also added 7 rebounds and 3 assists. Other significant game contributors include junior Lexie Sparks adding 9 points and 5 rebounds off the bench, sophomore Kylie Brinkman adding 8 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals, and senior Nysha Speed adding 8 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals. The Yellow Jackets move to 9-6 overall and 6th in the HCAC.
You can catch more Yellow Jacket action this Wednesday, January 26th, at home as they take on HCAC opponent, Mt. St. Joseph. Tip-off is scheduled to start at 6:00 pm.
Hope to see you there, Jacket Nation!
