The Defiance College Yellow Jackets outlasted the Marygrove College Mustangs, 92-84, on Wednesday night at the Karl H. Weaner Center.
Marygrove gave Defiance fits throughout the first half and were down just one going into the halftime break. DC outscored the NAIA school 54-47 in the second half to earn the eight-point win. Jeremey Fruhwirth led the Jackets with 19 points and was instrumental on both ends as he hit three triples and also made several key defensive stops in the 9-0 Jacket run in the second half that swung the momentum in DC’s favor.
Curt Croy also played well as did senior Matt Voland. Croy had 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting while Voland recovered from a rough first half and registered a double-double with 14 points and 10 boards. Freshmen Matt Muratori and Trent Meyer also scored in double figures with 12 points apiece, while Meyer hit 7-of-8 free throws down the stretch to ice the win.
David Stephens had an outstanding game for the improved Mustangs, scoring 23 points on 9-of-16 shooting with four rebounds and two assists. Marygrove was hampered by 29% shooting from the line in the second half and 40% free throw shooting for the game.
DC scored over 90 points for the fourth straight time in the 04-05 season. The Jackets were outrebounded 49-40, but forced 14 turnovers and committed just eight.
With the win, the Jackets move to 4-1 on the year going into hosting this weekend’s Purple & Gold Financial Tournament. DC plays in the second game against Madonna on Friday night at 8:00 p.m. following the initial 6:00 p.m. match-up between UM-Dearborn and Olivet.