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HUNTINGTON, Ind. - Lonnie Fairfax garnered most valuable player honors this weekend as the senior led the No. 3 ranked Panthers to a 65-62 win over Huntington in the championship game of the Ness Bros. Hall of Fame Tournament.  Davenport is now 4-0 on the season which marks the fourth consecutive year DU has started that way.  The Panthers will host #RV Daemen College on Thursday.

Lonnie Fairfax finished the game with 15 points, three rebounds, seven assists and three steals to help keep Davenport unblemished on the 2011-12 season.  Fellow All-Tourney member Damacious White posted 13 points, four rebounds and three assists as DU held off a strong second half from the host Forresters.

The opening half saw the lead change hand seven times and the score was tied another four times with DU holding the final edge at 35-31.  With 6:22 remaining, DU trailed by one at 23-22 but rallied behind the play of Damacious White who scored five straight points to help the Panthers hold the lead at the break.  HU connected on 12-14 free-throws to help keep them in the game.

Looking to extend their winning streak to four games to start the season, Davenport struggled a bit in the second half as Huntington's Shane Meeryman came off a strong performance in the first half and kept the home team in front for a majority of the second. The Forresters held their largest lead of four points at 60-56 with 4:24 remaining.

Davenport hung tough though and Lonnie Fairfax joined James Humphrey in scoring the final nine points for the Panthers while limiting HU to only two over those final 4:24.  Humphrey's bucket with 2:09 on the clock was the final points of the game as DU claimed the championship trophy.

Post-Game Quotes - Head Coach Burt Paddock

On picking up crucial road win at MCC foe - "It's very exciting to win a road game especially at an MCC opponent...We fought foul trouble and still found a way thanks to great leadership from the seniors.

On crucial play of certain guys - "So many guys made crucial plays at critical moments. DeArmond was huge with nine points and nine rebounds."

Post-Game Notes

The win over Huntington is the second in a row as Davenport defeated the Forresters at home last season 95-84...Head coach Burt Paddock is now 3-1 against teams from the MCC...When their opponent scores more than 60 points, DU is now 46-25 under Paddock.

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