I can't remember the number of Jews killed and wounded offhand but it was quite a few and that indicates that there was quite a spirited defence of the village by its residents.
It is acknowledged by both side that the battle went on for most of the day so it is feasible that of the 111 Arabs killed most would have been in battle and not as you say massacred.
The contoversy regarding this event is that both side for their own particular reasons exaggerated the circumstances for political gains.
A point often overlooked is that if the population of the village was over 700 and only 111 were killed how come the other 600 surviveed if there was a massacre. Needs some explaining doesn't it. If the Jews were really out to massacre them why stop at 111.