GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The up-and-down pace of Saturday's contest between a battle of WHAC unbeaten came down to stingy defense by the home team as the Panthers picked up a critical 62-55 win over Lawrence Tech. Both teams were 4-0 in the conference entering the game and each had seven wins overall. Davenport is currently ranked eighth in the NAIA Division II poll while the Blue Devils were receiving votes.

This was a rematch of the WHAC Tournament final from a year ago when the Panthers captured the title at the DU Student Center. The defense by the Panthers was particularly good on Lawrence Tech's leading scorer. Nicole Buckingham was averaging over 16 points per game entering the contest and shot 5-of-20 from the floor and finished with 14 points with four turnovers. Senior guard Courtney Murphy got her first start of the season and led Davenport with 17 points in 34 minutes. She connected on 5-of-11 from behind the arc and matched her season high in three's made. Murphy also assisted on three baskets and had a steal.

Lawrence Tech roared out of the gate and led 24-16 after the first quarter. The Blue Devils were hot from the floor shooting 58.8 percent (10-of-17) and made 3-of-4 from behind the arc. The Panthers then turned up the defensive intensity and outscored LTU 19-8 in the second quarter to take a 35-32 lead into the locker room.

The Panthers then outscored the Blue Devils 21-14 in the third quarter to lead 56-46. The fourth quarter was a struggle offensively for both teams as DU was held to a season-low six points in the quarter. They kept their lead because they only allowed nine points and held LTU to 21.4 percent (3-of-14) from the floor.

DU ended the game shooting 38.1 percent (24-of-63) and made 6-of-10 at the foul line. Lawrence Tech shot 32.8 percent (22-of-67) and made 7-of-12 at the charity stripe. Mallory Sewell had an excellent shooting day going 8-of-12 for 16 points and also grabbed six rebounds. Chri Carter went for double figures for the third time this season with 10 points and also led the team with six assists in 25 minutes. The Panthers had a 48-41 edge in rebounding as they have outrebounded their opponent in every game this season.