DEFIANCE, Ohio - At the Karl H. Weaner Center, the homestanding Yellow Jackets utilized a fast start to the fourth quarter to pull away from the Adrian women's basketball team in the Bulldogs' 2021-22 season opener.

After entering the game's final frame with the score knotted at 44-44, Defiance locked in from behind the arc and knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers to open the quarter and ultimately set in motion the evening's deciding run.

The 'Jackets led by as many as 11 points with 4:40 remaining in regulation before the Bulldogs began to slowly chip away at the deficit. Despite working the score down to a one possession game in the closing moments, the hosts came up clutch from the free throw line to seal the win.

Senior, Rylee Campbell and sophomore Kiaya Warner paced the black and gold offensively with 12 and 11 points, respectively. Warner, who finished the night 4-for-8 from the field, also corralled a team-best five rebounds.

Chloe Gilbert turned in a solid effort in her first career game for Adrian, tallying eight points and three steals in 18 minutes of action.

Monday night's contest saw seven total lead changes as both sides traded multiple runs throughout the first three quarters of the game. The Bulldogs out muscled the Yellow Jackets in the paint 26-24, but where Defiance hurt them the most was in second chance opportunites and points off turnovers, combining to outscore Adrian 39-24 in those two areas.

The locals will not be playing locally for a while, still. Adrian's first home game is currently set for December 4 versus Saint Mary's. The 'Dogs will be back the floor, however, on Friday, November 12 at Penn State Altoona.