The Defiance Bulldogs secured their fourth consecutive victory on Saturday, defeating the Bowling Green Bobcats 54-39 in a home game at ‘The Dawg Pound.’ The Bulldogs, now with a record of 7-2, showcased a strong defense while capitalizing on early scoring opportunities, limiting the Bobcats’ offensive production.
Defiance took control early, trailing for less than 40 seconds throughout the match. The team faced significant defensive pressure aimed at junior guard Josiah Schlatter, who had just scored 32 points in a previous game against Findlay. Despite this focus on Schlatter, senior point guard Jordyn Wright stepped up, contributing 10 points in the first half alone.
“Offensive boards and physicality were two areas we thought we could take advantage of,” said Bryn Lehman, the head coach of Defiance. “We made enough timely plays when it mattered to come out on top.”
Bowling Green, struggling with a record of 3-4, had not played since December 20, when they suffered a 62-37 loss to Ottawa-Glandorf. The Bobcats began the match with energy, matching Defiance shot-for-shot and trailing only 11-8 after the first quarter. However, a 7-0 run by the Bulldogs at the start of the second quarter helped them establish a 23-12 lead.
The Bulldogs extended their lead to 13 points following a three-pointer by Wright before Bowling Green rebounded slightly, closing the gap to 30-21 by halftime. The second half saw Bowling Green make a push, narrowing the deficit to six points at one moment. Yet, crucial fouls against Kiptyn Shank hindered their efforts, as he was sidelined with four fouls.
Defiance maintained its defensive pressure, holding Bowling Green scoreless for nearly two minutes in the third quarter. The Bobcats struggled offensively, shooting only 26.3 percent from the field in the second half, and finished the game with a total of 30 percent shooting.
In contrast, Schlatter found his rhythm, scoring 11 of his 16 points after halftime, while Wright finished with 13 points. Junior forward Jackson Becker added 10 points and led the team with seven rebounds.
“Punching them in the mouth in the second quarter gave us a lot of energy,” Wright noted, emphasizing the importance of having multiple scoring threats alongside Schlatter. “Teams are going to bring everything against him, so us stepping up is going to be huge later in the season.”
Lehman acknowledged areas for improvement despite the win, noting defensive lapses and rebounding issues. “Our seniors Will Horvath and Matthew Walter made a lot of hustle plays,” he added, praising their contributions.
Bowling Green’s scoring was led by Kiptyn Shank, who tallied 12 points, while Kentin Shank and Koltin Shank contributed nine points each. The Bobcats will look to bounce back in their upcoming games against Sylvania Northview and Sylvania Southview.
Defiance will continue its campaign in the Western Buckeye League with a home game against St. Marys before facing rival Wauseon. With this victory, the Bulldogs improve to 5-1 at home this season, showcasing their determination as the season progresses.
