The Wabash basketball team lost its first game of the 2015-16 season Friday night. The Little Giants lost 79-56 to Defiance College in the opening game of the Lee Pfund Tournament at Wheaton College.
 
Wabash never led in the contest after falling behind 8-0 to the Yellow Jackets in the first two minutes of play. After trailing by as many as 15 points in the opening period, the Little Giants began whittling away at Defiance's lead before Evan Frank hit a layup with 2:25 left in the first half to bring Wabash within two points. The Yellow Jackets closed out the period with a 6-2 run to take a 33-27 lead at the break.
 
Defiance regained its double-digit lead, eventually moving in front by as many as 17 points with another 8-0 run over another two-minute span in the final period.
 
Daniel Purvlicis led Wabash with 15 points and eight rebounds. Fellow senior Austin Burton tacked on 13 points and a team-best four assists. The Little Giants struggled from the field, hitting 21-of-67 shot attempts for 31 percent, including 4-of-11 from three-point range.
 
The Yellow Jackets finished 28-of-67 shooting for 41 percent. Four Defiance players finished in double figures, led by Devin Manges with 26 points after shooting 10-of-15 from the field for the game.
 
Wabash (1-1) will play George Fox University in Saturday's consolation game of the tournament. The Bruins lost to Wheaton 83-73 in the second tournament game Friday night. The Little Giants and George Fox tip off at 5:30 p.m. (CST).