Dec. 10, 2009

Box Score

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - A 16-0 run midway through the opening half catapulted the Panthers to their 10th win of the season as they downed visiting Olivet College on Thursday night. Davenport is now 10-2 and will travel to Goshen College (Ind.) on Monday, December 14.

In a game that almost did not happen due to the weather outside, the Panthers and Comets battled inside the DU Student Center on Thursday night. Olivet came out hitting on all cylinders as they raced out to an early four point lead at 8-4.

Davenport responded to tie the game at 11 after a free throw from Darryl Nobles (Detroit, Mich.) but then the Comets went on a 10-0 run to take a 21-11 lead with 9:21 remaining in the opening half. The deficit matched the largest of the season for the Panthers.

It was then that the defense stepped up and after a field goal from Nathan Cox (Flushing, Mich.) and a thunderous dunk off a steal from Lorenzo Ecford (Chicago, Ill.), DU went on their own 16-0 run to take control of the game at 27-21.

The Panthers increased the lead to 10 after a 3-pointer from Gabe VanderJagt (Rockford, Mich.) and went into the break leading by 9 at 38-29.

The second half was a back and forth affair for both teams as the Panthers quickly increased their lead to 12 on a put back by Ecford, but the Comets wouldn't quit fighting as they kept the lead within striking distance.

James Nelson (New Haven, Mich.) then took over on the offensive end after OC got the lead to within four as he scored 13 straight Davenport points to push the lead to their largest of the game at 13 with 8:20 to play.

But again, the Comets came back strong and got the lead down to three at 65-62, but after David Thompson (Grandville, Mich.) hit a long range shot, the lead never got back to below four and DU hung on for the 82-72 win.

After a tough first half shooting the ball, Davenport finished the game 28/61 (45.9%) from the floor as the Comets finished 28/55 (50.9%).

James Nelson led the Panthers with 24 points and Lorenzo Ecford pulled down a team high 7 rebounds in the win. Nathan Cox chipped in with 18 points off the bench and David Thompson also posted double-digits with 12.

Davenport will return to the floor next Monday when they take on Goshen College (Ind.) in Goshen. The game will be broadcast on the DAN beginning with the pre-game show at 6:45 PM.

Post-Game Notes

Under Head Coach Burt Paddock, the Panthers are now 25-5 when leading at halftime...The win lifts Davenport to 17-1 all-time at the Student Center...The Panthers are now 3-6 all-time against teams from the MIAA...When making more free-throws than their opponent, the Panthers are 18-1 under Paddock