ASHLAND, Ohio. – Davenport fell on the road and ended their road trip in Ohio 1-1 against conference opponents. The Panthers defeated Tiffin on Thursday night and dropped their game against Ashland today. Davenport was held to 15 points under their season average against the Eagles. The second half was a close battle, but the first half is what put Ashland ahead of Davenport.
 
THE BASICS
Final Score: Davenport-65 | Ashland University-86
Location: Ashland, Ohio
Records: Davenport 8-3 (3-1) | Ashland 7-3 (2-2)
 
POINTS PER HALF
First Half: DU-33 | AU-52
Second Half: DU-32 | AU-34
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Davenport came out aggressive and red hot from the floor to start the game. The Panthers started four of six from the field, while Avery Hudson went a perfect two of two from deep during that stretch. The second three that Hudson made gave DU their largest lead of the game, Davenport led 12-6 after the shot. Ashland gained the lead with 14:04 in the first half and never gave that lead up for the remainder of the game. Davenport was held to just five made field goals in the last 10 minutes of the half.
 
The Panthers did their best to cut the lead in the second half, but Ashland led by 15 or more the entire half. Davenport made a run at the beginning of the half, scoring seven unanswered points. Delano Smith, Orlando Little and Hudson all led Davenport in scoring during the half. The three combined for 26 of the team's 32 points and shot 10/19 from the field.
 
Smith, Hudson and Little all scored in double digits for the game. Smith led the way with 17 points, Hudson was not far behind with 16 points, and Little chipped in 11 points. Little also added seven rebounds to lead Davenport.
 
UP NEXT
The Panthers play their two remaining games of 2017 at home. The first one is against Great Lakes Christian on Tuesday and the next is a GLIAC game against Wayne State next Saturday.

Story by: Devin Steiner
 
Picture credit: Tom Puskar (Ashland)