Box Score | Photo Gallery

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – A 16-0 run midway through the second half propelled the #11 ranked Panthers to a come from behind 74-70 win over Grace Bible College.  The win gives DU the 2010-11 Panther Tip-Off title and lifts the Panthers to 2-0 on the season.

Playing against a veteran Grace Bible team that won their division's NCCAA National Championship for the second consecutive year in 2009-10 posed a big challenge in the early parts of this season for NAIA #11 Davenport University.

Nathan Cox (Flushing, Mich.), who was named tournament MVP, and James Nelson (New Haven, Mich.), who joined the senior on the All-Tournament squad combined to help the Panthers dig out of a 14 point deficit midway through the second half to claim a 74-70 win.

The Panthers got off to a hot start as they scored the game's first five points behind two free-throws and a deep three-pointer from James Nelson.  The Tigers however countered with a 9-3 run over the next 2:20 to take a 9-8 lead.

The lead would change hands seven times in the opening half and was tied on three other occasions as the two teams were sizzling from the field.  Davenport shot 46% (50% from behind the arc) and the Tigers were 48% (77% from behind the arc).

Grace Bible used a 17-9 run over the final 5:55 of the first half to take a 6-point (43-37) lead into the locker room.

Coming out for the final twenty minutes seemed to sway in one side's favor as the Tigers continued to hit numerous outside shots and convert in the pain while Davenport struggled with possession of the ball and making open shots.

The Tigers increased the margin to as many as 14 points (56-42) with 12:09 remaining putting Davenport into a deep hole.  But over the next 4:56, the Panthers raised the intensity level and went on a 16-0 run that featured seven points from Nathan Cox (Flushing, Mich.) and the remaining points from four different players.

Davenport used the run to take a 58-56 lead but held it for just two possessions as Grace came right back with four straight points.  The lead would change hands three more times for the remainder of the game but DU took the final one as Cox nailed a pair of free-throw to put the Panthers up 69-68.

After Kale Waaso (South Haven, Mich.) also hit a pair from the charity stripe, DU got a stop on defense and sealed the game when freshman Zach Yeagy (Alexandria, Ind.) hit a runner in the lane with just less than 30 seconds to play.

En route to being named tournament MVP for the second straight year, Nathan Cox (Flushing, Mich.) finished with 20 points and 6 rebounds.  Fellow All-Tournament member James Nelson (New Haven, Mich.) posted a game high 21 points to go along with 7 rebounds and 2 assists.

One big stat for the Panthers was holding Grace Bible's All-American Allen Durham to just eight rebounds (3 offensive, 5 defensive).  Davenport finished with game outrebounding the Tigers 35-31.

Davenport (3-0) will now host Goshen College on Tuesday, November 9 at the Student Center.  Game time is set for 7:00pm and will be preceded by the junior varsity game. Live stats and audio will be available.