Box Score Box Score

HASTINGS, Neb. - The #2 ranked Lady Panthers built an 11 point lead late in their season opener against #21 Hastings and held off a late charge from the Broncos to post the 88-85 win.  DU will now take on #23 Briar Cliff on Saturday afternoon back at Hastings College.

Being ranked in the top-5 for the second consecutive year and opening the season on the road against perennial NAIA power Hastings did not stop the Lady Panthers from starting with a bang.

DU got its first points of the season from returning NAIA 2nd Team All-American Kallie Benike but fell behind by six in the first five minutes of the contest.  Benike again converted at the 13:03 mark to put DU up by one at 15-14 and the lead would change hands five more times in the opening twenty minutes.

Davenport's biggest lead of the opening half came at eight points as the Lady Panthers took a 30-30 tie and made it into a 40-32 advantage when Julie Janish finished off the 10-2 run with a deep three pointer.  Unfortunately, the Broncos then took over for the remainder of the half as they closed the final 2:47 by outscoring DU 13-2 and took a 45-44 lead into the break.

The host Broncos built on their late first half surge in the opening four minutes of the second but DU consecutive baskets from newcomers Riana Hensley on a three pointer and Karli Harris on a layup and a jumper from Carrie Grubius made the score 60-56 in favor of DU.

The lead grew to seven after a Despres jumper with 13:29 to play and DU never relinquished the lead for the remainder of the game.  Davenport saw its biggest lead climb to 11 with 7:29 to play but things got tight down the stretch as Hastings hit some clutch 3-pointers to make things interesting in the final seconds.

Davenport held a five point lead with less than 40 seconds but a turnover and made shot from Hastings made it just three and after another DU turnover with under 15 to play, Hastings got one last chance at sending the game into overtime but a last gasp three pointer was off the mark.

Senior Kallie Benike led the charge with 19 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and game high 7 steals in the win.  She was followed in double digits by Riana Hensley with 14 and Jeannie Closson with 12.  All 14 Lady Panthers saw game time as 10 scored at least three points.

Davenport will now take on Briar Cliff on Saturday back at Hastings College.  The Chargers come into the game ranked #23 in the NAIA Top 25 poll.  The Davenport Athletics Network will broadcast the game live starting at 1:40pm EST.