Site: Livonia, Mich. (Activities Center)
Score: No. 10 Davenport 86, Madonna 80
Records: DU (9-2, 5-2 WHAC), MUU (7-6, 5-2 WHAC)
Next DU event: Monday, Dec. 16 – vs. Grace Bible – 7:30 p.m.

LIVONIA, Mich. – After seeing his team fall in all three matchups against Madonna University last season including the WHAC Tournament championship, senior JaVontae Ford came out with a chip on his shoulder and poured in a season high 28 points to help No. 9 Davenport pick up a critical 86-80 road win. The Panthers overcame a one point halftime deficit as they improve to 9-2 on the year and 5-2 in league play. DU will host Grace Bible College on Monday at 7:30 p.m. in their final home game until January 8.

Four players finished in double-figures for head coach Burt Paddock as the Panthers overcame a 37-36 halftime deficit to post a 6-point win over the Crusaders who were in a four-way tie atop the WHAC standings. Senior JaVontae Ford led the way with a season high 28 points on 10-18 shooting while going 7-9 from the foul line. Dominez Burnett and Mike Betcher each had 15 while DeArmond Davis chipped in with 10 to go along with a team leading six rebounds.

Davenport had an early lead only to see the host Crusaders come back with a fury and use a 15-4 run to lead 19-10 just about halfway through the opening half. The Panthers slowly chipped away at the lead and held a 36-32 lead on a 3-pointer from Betcher but Madonna had the hot hand late as they closed the first half on a 5-0 run including a layup at the buzzer to lead 37-36.

DU opened the second half with a 10-2 run to take their largest lead of the game (46-39) and the run was highlighted by six straight points from JaVontae Ford including a thunderous dunk on a fast-break pass from Dominez Burnett. The lead would then change hands four more times but the last came on a layup from DeArmond Davis with 10:51 remaining. DU hit their free-throws down the stretch as they knocked down eight of their last 10 including a pair from freshman Nick Gamble in the final 10 seconds to seal it.

Both teams had a great night from the field as MU was 29-57 (50.9%) while DU was just behind them at 31-61 (50.8%). The Panthers held a slight edge on the glass (35-30). Reigning WHAC Player of the Year, Bobby Naubert of Madonna, had 31 points to lead all scorers.

DU will return to the Student Center on Monday to face Grace Bible College at 7:30 p.m. Live video and stats will be available.

Post-Game Notes

Davenport ends a 3-game losing streak against the Crusaders and won for just the third time in school history at Madonna…DU remains perfect on the road this season (5-0)…The 28 points by JaVontae Ford are the second most in a single game by the senior (career high is 31)…The .508 shooting percentage is the third best of the season for DU…The Panthers improve to 16-26 all-time under coach Burt Paddock when trailing at halftime

Men's Basketball Contact: Aaron Sagraves | 616-554-5045 | asagraves@davenport.edu
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