GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The fourth-ranked Davenport men's basketball team faced off against Northwestern Ohio, who was receiving votes in the preseason NAIA polls, to start their WHAC schedule. After a back-and-forth battle, Dominez Burnett hit two free throws with two second left in regulation to finish the night with a team-high 19 points and secure a 71-70 win over the Racers. Davenport will be in action again on Wednesday when they travel down the Beltline to face Aquinas on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
 
In a back-and-forth affair that seen 11 lead changes along with the score being tied ten times throughout the game, the Panthers shot 42.6 percent from the field as Dominez Burnett led the team in scoring with 19 points along with nine rebounds. Thomas Drew and Kevin Rich also finished the game in double figures and Drew also collected nine rebounds in the game.
 
In the first half, Davenport struggled from the field going 9-for-22 in the first half, but the Panther kept the game close throughout the half going 5-for-8 from behind the arc. After the Racers took a seven point lead, their largest of the game, with 8:31 left in the first half; Davenport had quick 8-0 run capped off by a three pointer from Drew to take a one point lead with 6:34 left in the first half. Northwestern Ohio shot 53.6 percent from the field in the half as they took a 38-34 lead into the locker room.
 
The back-and-forth battle continued in the second half as the teams continued to trade the lead. The score was tied eight times in the second half alone as the Davenport defense picked to hold Northwestern Ohio to 37.9 percent shooting from the field in the second half. Down the stretch, Davenport did not hold the lead in the final 4:25 until two seconds remained in regulation when Burnett hit two free throws to win the game for the Panthers 71-70.
 
Davenport will continued their WHAC schedule on Wednesday when they head down the Beltline to face crosstown rival Aquinas on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
 
Post-Game Notes
 
For the third straight game, Davenport has had at least three players in double figures… Thomas Drew set a new career high in rebounds with nine in the game… The Panthers set new season highs in free throws attempted and free throws made with 34 and 23, respectively. Burnett tied his career high for free throws made with 12.
 
Men's Basketball Contact: Rick Hoskin | 616-554-5045 | rhoskin@davenport.edu
Secondary Contact: David Gerhart | 616-554-5045 | dgerhart@davenport.edu
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