POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. – The Panthers comeback efforts fell short against Tabor College during a fast paced opening round game of the NAIA National Tournament. Davenport got down early in the game as the Blue Jays jumped out to a 10-0 lead after two and a half minutes of play. The Panthers cut the Blue Jays lead to four points on two separate occasions in the last 10 minutes of play in the game. Tabor College closed out the game successfully and eliminated Davenport from the tournament.

THE BASICS
Final Score: #3 Davenport-70 | #6 Tabor-78
Location: Point Lookout, Mo.
First Round Of NAIA D2 National Tournament
Records: Davenport 24-9 | Tabor 24-9
 
POINTS PER HALF
First Half: DU-29 | Tabor-36
Second Half: DU-41 | Tabor-42
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Tabor College jumped out on top of DU early, scoring 10 un-answered points in two and a half minutes. Davenport didn't let the aggressiveness of the Blue Jays effect them as they fought back quickly and cut the lead to four points over the next couple minutes. The Panthers tied the game 16-16 with 12:30 left in the first half after Kevin Rich drained a three-point shot. The teams battled it out over the remaining part of the half, each team taking turns making runs. Davenport finished off the half with a made jumper by Nick Gamble and a free throw by Wes Webbert to cut the lead to seven points. At half Khadim Dieng and Javon Haines were leading the team with very similar stats. They each had eight points, on 4/6 shooting from the field, and grabbed four rebounds.
 
In the second half Tabor maintained a lead for all 20 minutes of the game. Davenport fought back and gave the Blue Jays a run for their money throughout the half. In the last 10 minutes of play the Panthers cut the lead to four points on two separate occasions. The Panthers had a big momentum swing when they went on a nine point run in the middle of the half. Cameron Burns kick started the run with a three pointer, Dieng and Gamble each hit a jumper, then Robbie Bramhill finished a transition lay-up to force a Blue Jay timeout. Tabor responded out of the timeout with a couple buckets and increased their lead back up to 10 points with 7:12 remaining in the game. Davenport never gave up as they clawed back and cut the lead to four points. This time Dieng hit two free throws with 3:33 left in the game and the score was 67-71. Tabor closed out the game on a 7-3 run.
 
Seniors Rich and Gamble led the scoring charge for Davenport with 18 points a piece. Gamble was 8/17 from the field and dished out four assists. Rich had three steals and grabbed seven rebounds to accompany his 18 points. Dieng was extremely efficient from the field, scoring 14 points on 6/9 shooting. Haines and Bramhill made significant contributions as well for the Panthers. Haines finished with eight points, six rebounds and two steals. Bramhill had eight points and four rebounds.
 
Rich moved up in the DU record book with his 18 points tonight. He now has 1,765 career points and ranks third all time in career points at Davenport. He surpassed both James Nelson and Nathan Cox during the game.

The 2016-2017 campaign has officially ended for the men's basketball team and they had plenty to look back upon and smile about. The team finishes 24-9, made it to the national tournament for the eighth straight year, and won 20 or more games for the ninth straight season.
 
Story by: Devin Steiner
 
Photo credit: Judy Steiner