Cincinnati, Ohio—This evening the Mount St. Joseph University Men's Basketball program played host to HCAC opponent, Defiance College. The Yellow Jackets entered this contest loosing four out of their last five. Likewise the Lions hand hit a bit of a rough patch, with their last win coming on January 1, when they beat Defiance on the Road. With both teams battling to get another win the Lions fell short by a final of 67-60.
The Yellow Jackets were able to win the opening tip and earn the first score of the game on a second chance bucket. Then transitioning into a ,high-pressure, full-court press causing a Lions turnover on their first trip of the game. This Lions turnover, allowed Defiance to score on a step-back jump-shot, opening a 4-0 lead a minute into the game. The Lions were able to get their first notch in the scoring category when Devin Young converted a hook-shot. On the ensuing Defiance possession, the Lions were able to force a turnover that led to Alex Totton feeding Dayne Gardner on the fast-break to knot the game up.
At the 16:58 mark the Lions claimed their first lead of the game as Young converted his first two free-throw attempts of the evening. Defiance was able to knot the game back up with a layup, and then come away with another stop, as their high pressure defense continued.
Following the first media timeout of the first half, Defiance was able to get a bucket in the paint to push them ahead 8-6, extending their lead back to four with a quick fast-break score. An 8-0 run facilitated by Totton knocking down three free-throws, Evan Wiehe converting his first deep-ball of the game and a pull up jumper from the hands of Brady Thomas pushed the Lions ahead 14-10.
With 12 minutes remaining in the half, Defiance had crawled back to within one at 14-13. As the game continued both teams continued to amp up their defensive pressure, allowing Defiance to run the floor in the fast-break and force another lead change at 17-16. On the ensuing possession Thomas was able to give the Lions the lead back, finishing a highly contested layup attempt.
Following another Thomas score, both teams exchanged threes, with David Lures knocking down a deep ball to keep the Lions lead at three.
Young gave the Lions largest lead of the game at the 6:25 mark, drop-stepping around his defender deep in the paint and converting the and-one attempt at the line. This play saw the Lions jump ahead 26-20. Defiance was able to respond with three consecutive scores, tying the game at 26. Thomas continued his hot start, knocking down a three to claim the lead once again for the Lions. However Defiance quickly responded with a three-ball of their own, then forcing a late shot-clock stop and scoring quickly on the break. The Yellow Jackets, playing at a break neck pace, scored twice in the final minute of first half action. This stretch of scoring by the Yellow Jackets sent the game to the halftime break with the Lions trailing 35-29.
The Yellow Jackets continued their hot streak, scoring on the opening possession of the second half. The Lions were able to match the score with Young finding a cutting Thomas for a score. However Defiance was able to continue matching the efforts of the Mount, opening a 41-31 lead early in the second half. With 18:18 remaining both teams began exchanging scores. With Spencer Kinnett was able to grabbing a huge defensive board, Thomas was able to convert another lay-up coming from another Young assist. On the next Defiance trip, the Lions came away with another huge stop, seeing them push the ball ahead on the fast-break and Thomas once again finishing through contact and netting his and-one free-throw to bring the Lions within five.
Six unanswered points by Defiance kept the Lions at arms length as they extended their largest lead of the game, before Thomas located Kinnett deep in the post to end the run. After a three-point play by the Yellow Jackets, Lures facilitated a small 4-0 run, scoring on an uncontested lay-up and adding two from the charity stripe. This run restored momentum for the Lions, forcing two straight stops that allowed Lures to find Thomas from deep, sending the Mount into a timeout trailing 51-47.
Following a score by Defiance, the Mount assembled a long possession, ending with Lures loosing a defender on his way to the bucket and stepping back to the elbow for an easy score. At this point both teams returned to their back and forth scores, before Defiance knocked down consecutive three-pointers to push them back ahead 65-51.
At the 4:42 mark the Lions began climbing back into the game as Thomas found Young in the post, who finished through contact and converted at the free-throw line. Willard Cluxton was able to get to the line on the next trip down the court and knock down both shots on the one and one. Coming out of a time-out, Young was able to get another shot to fall from the post, followed by Young feeding Tanner Clos deep in the post for another score. Defiance was able to snap the Lions scoring run, knocking down a pair of bonus free-throws to set them ahead 67-60.
In the final minute of play the Lions were unable to capitalize on their late game comeback efforts, as they fell short 67-60.
The performances of Thomas and Young helped keep the Lions in the game. Thomas finished with a game high 21 points. Young registered a double double with 12 points and 11 rebounds, while adding 6 assists to his stat-line.
The Lions will now turn their attentions to Rose-Hulman, who visits the Harrington Center on Saturday, January 29 with tip-off set for 4PM. For continued coverage of this upcoming game and all other MSJ Athletics continue to follow msjlions.com
