GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – After playing their first three games of 2015 on the road, the Davenport men's basketball team plays their first home game of 2015 on Wednesday night against Lourdes. Davenport moved into first place in the WHAC last time out when they faced Concordia, but the Panthers will refocus as they face Lourdes, who beat them in both conference games last season. Davenport, who is 15-3 on the season and 9-1 in the WHAC, will tipoff against Lourdes and at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday with Rick Berkey on the call.
 
Vs. Lourdes
Date: Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Tipoff: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Grand Rapids, Mich. (DU Student Center)
Internet Coverage: Live Audio/Stats/Video
 
A Quick Look at Lourdes – 10-8, 6-4 WHAC – Head Coach Andre Smith
The Gray Wolves come into the contest holding a 10-8 record, while they sit at 6-4 in the WHAC and three games behind Davenport in the conference standings. Zach Steinmetz has led Lourdes this season averaging 17.7 points per game, while averaging 8.3 rebounds per game and Steinmetz was also named WHAC Player of the Week two weeks in a row in mid-November. E.J. Blackwell and Aaron Ashley are the only other two players on the Gray Wolves squad averaging double figures as Blackwell scores 12.1 points a game, while Ashley chips in 11.5 points. As a team, Lourdes scores 66.8 points per game, while just allowing 57.9 points per game, which is the third best scoring defense in the NAIA.
 
Panthers vs. Gray Wolves
In the all-time series between Davenport and Lourdes, the teams have met just eight times since Lourdes started their basketball program in 2010-11 and enter the WHAC in 2011-12. The Panthers lead the all-time series 6-2 and won the first five games between the two programs. Last season, the Gray Wolves had the Panthers number as they won both conference games and the only time Davenport was able to beat Lourdes last season was in a non-conference game at the Saint Xavier Midwest Tournament.
 
The Last Time Against the Gray Wolves
In the last meeting between Davenport and Lourdes, the Gray Wolves were able jump out to a 12 point lead at halftime, and Lourdes continued their hot start in the second half as they took their largest lead of the game at 16 points with 18:44 left in the second. Davenport tried to make a comeback in the second half as they scored 47 points in the second half, and brought the game within two points, but the Panthers were unable to get any closer as they fell to the Gray Wolves, 75-71. The Panthers had four players in double figures and former Panther, DeArmond Davis, was one rebound shy of a double-double with 12 points and nine rebounds.
 
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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