GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Panthers faced a tough Golden Eagles team tonight on the road and fell 79-66. Davenport battled back from a couple different deficits to make it a one or two possession game, but were un-able to sustain momentum late in the game. Each team won at the other teams home arena and both have two regular season game remaining before the conference tournament.

THE BASICS
Final Score: #10 Davenport-66 | #1 Cornerstone-79
Location: Grand Rapids, Mich.
Records: Davenport 21-7 (15-5) | Cornerstone 26-2 (19-1)
 
POINTS PER HALF
First Half: DU-35 | Cornerstone-39
Second Half: DU-31 | Cornerstone-40
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Panthers jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead after a lay-up by Javon Haines and a jumper by Kevin Rich. However, the Golden Eagles responded shortly after and took a one-point lead after four minutes of play. Cornerstone made a significate run during the middle of the first half, creating a 14-point lead with 3:14 to play. The Panthers refused to give up, clawing back and cutting the lead to only four points heading into half time. Haines scored 10 points during that stretch and a game high 16 points for the half. Thomas Hood had four rebounds off the bench and Rich has 11 points on 4/5 shooting from the field.
 
To start off the second half DU had the lead cut to two points on a couple different possessions, but were un-able to convert offensively to erase the deficit. Cornerstone led by 10 points with 12:22 left in the game and Davenport made another comeback over the next couple minutes. After a dunk by Khadim Dieng the Panthers were down five points and had some momentum on their side. Cornerstone scored seven straight points to bring the lead up to 12 points with 4:56 remaining. Davenport was un-able to string together enough baskets to complete the come back towards the end of the game.
 
Haines led all scorers in the game with 22 points, he was 8/8 from the free throw line and grabbed four rebounds. Seniors Rich and Gamble scored 13 and 12 points respectively. Dieng was the only other Panther in double digits with 10 points on 4/9 from the field. Robbie Bramhill and Hood came off the bench and cleaned up the glass nicely, Hood had five rebounds and Bramhill led DU with six rebounds.

UP NEXT
The Panthers take to the road on Wednesday to take on Siena Heights in Adrian, Mich. Davenport only has two regular season games remaining before the conference tournament hits towards the end of this month.

Photo credit: Devin Steiner