SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Daina Grazulis scored 16 points and added eight rebounds in her nationals debut, Linnea Brandholm had four 3-point baskets for a dozen as the second-ranked Davenport women's basketball team opened the NAIA Division II Tournament with a 78-48 opening-round victory over Clarke (Iowa) Wednesday afternoon.
 
The top-seeded Panthers (32-0) will have a day off Thursday to prepare for fifth-seeded and Sioux City representative Briar Cliff Friday at 11:15 a.m. EDT.
 
Kia Frazier five takeaways while Brittany Johnson finished with four steals and five assists.
 
As a team, Davenport shot 49.1 percent from the floor and went 4-for-8 from beyond the arc. The Panthers did force 24 turnovers on the Crusaders (20-13) and held them to a 26.9 shooting percentage.
 
Davenport also dominated the boards 44-29, with 17 of them coming from the offensive side.
 
Kayleigh VanKeulen immediately opened the contest with a 3-point basket near the top of the key eight seconds into the game and the Panthers never looked back. They led by as many as 16 in the first half, when Grazulis got a jumper in the paint.
 
The Panthers went into the locker room leading 34-21. Grazulis had 14 of her 16 points in the opening period along with five boards.
 
Post-Game Notes
Davenport improves to 17-10 in the NAIA Tournament…Panthers take a 2-0 series lead over Clarke
 
Women's Basketball Contact: Rick Hoskin | 616-871-6180 | rhoskin@davenport.edu
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