Dec. 5, 2009

Box Score | Photo Gallery

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Davenport rebounded in a big way today as they defeated Lindsey Wilson 89-74 at the Student Center. The Blue Raiders received votes in the latest NAIA D1 poll as DU ended a two game skid to improve to 8-2 on the year.

After falling to Eastern Michigan and East-West University in the last seven days, the Panthers responded with a great win over Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) on Saturday afternoon.

An early basket by Mike Tilmon (Detroit, Mich.) just 27 seconds into the game started a 16-4 run as the Panthers never let the lead get below that mark for the remainder of the game.

Seven different Davenport players got baskets in the first 9:00 as they increased their lead to 19 (31-12) after a steal and layup from Mario Scott (Grand Rapids, Mich.). The defensive pressure applied by the home team continued to translate to easy baskets on the other end as DU took a 24 point lead into the break at 47-23.

The Blue Raiders were held to just six made field goals in the opening 20 minutes as they attempted only 15 shots and scored a majority of their points from the free-throw line (10/13).

The second half opened with a brief run by LWC, but Davenport was too tough and after the lead was cut to 20 at 51-31, the Panthers went on an 18-7 run to build their largest lead of the game at 69-38 after a basket from Mario Scott.

With the outcome already in site, DU backed off their pressure and intensity and allowed the Blue Raiders some open looks as they hit six long range shots in the second half for the final margin of just 15 points.

Davenport finished the game shooting 54.1% (33/61) from the floor and forced Lindsey Wilson into 20 turnovers while also outrebounding them 40-24.

Leading the way offensively for DU was Nathan Cox (Flushing, Mich.) who posted 21 points and 7 rebounds, while Mike Tilmon, Lorenzo Ecford (Chicago, Ill.) and David Thompson (Grandville, Mich.) all finished in double digit scoring.

Lonnie Fairfax (Livonia, Mich.) dished out a team high 5 assists while Mario Scott finished with four steals.

DU will remain at home for their next two games beginning with their WHAC opener on Tuesday, December 8 when they welcome in Concordia University for a 7:30 PM game.

Post-Game Notes

The win over Lindsey Wilson evens the all-time series between the two schools at 1-1...Nathan Cox has now led DU in scoring in five of the team's 10 games including the past three...Mario Scott is 5th in the NAIA in steals per game with 3.3 and today posted three in the win...Davenport, as a team, is 4th in the NAIA in steals with just over 13 per game and today swiped 12