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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.  - Damacious White scored his 1000th career point and James Nelson set a new Student Center record with 32 points as the No. 3 ranked men's basketball team defeated visiting Marygrove 96-70 on Tuesday night.  The win lifts the Panthers to 8-0 on the season as they will now prepare for WHAC action next Wednesday when they visit UM-Dearborn.

On his second shot of the night, Davenport senior Damacious White connected on a three-pointer which put the Aquinas College transfer right at 1000 career points between the two schools.  It was part of an 18-6 run to open the game for Davenport as fellow senior James Nelson set a new Student Center record with 13 made field goals and 32 points.  Both were individual career highs as well.

The opening spurt by the Panthers was credited to their defensive play as they forced the Mustangs into 16 turnovers in the game and held the visitors to just 39% shooting from the field. DU upped their lead to 18 (37-19) in the opening half before watching Marygrove climb back into it with a late run to get within 14 at the half.

A JaVontae Ford layup at the 16:16 mark of the second increased the margin back to 16 but the Mustangs went on a 10-2 run over the next 4:11 to get inside double digits at 57-49.  After a timeout by head coach Burt Paddock, the defensive intensity once again was too much for Marygrove as the Panthers used a 21-4 to put the game away.  Finishing off the scoring run was five straight points from DeArmond Davis and Ford.

The hot shooting of the Panthers continued on Tuesday night as they finished 37-63 (58.7%) from the field and they connected on seven of 16 shots from behind the arc led by White and Nelson with two each.

Post-Game Quotes - Head coach Burt Paddock, Seniors James Nelson and Damacious White

Paddock on play of White and Nelson: “The way they got us going early with their energy and efforts and made shots early gave us a good start.”

Paddock on first half defense: “Our defense in the first 8 or 9 minutes was the best defense we played all year. That led to some easy transition baskets and got a big lead set up for us.

Nelson on career night: “First off I am having so much fun playing with my teammates this year….all of this is possible because they were so unselfish and found me in open spots….I'm excited about the record but I owe all to my teammates.”

White on reaching 1000 career points: “It feels good, especially doing it here at Davenport. It's a new beginning for me with a great team, great coaches, and a great atmosphere.”

Post-Game Notes

Davenport has now seen a player reach 1000 career points in each of the last three seasons, Nathan Cox in 2009-10, James Nelson in 2010-11 and now Damacious White…Davenport has outscored their 8 opponents by 118 (312-194) in the opening halves this season and by 98 (332-234) in the second…After tonight's win, DU now has 8 players scoring at least 6.3 points per game led by Nelson at 17.4

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