UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – The Panthers went to overtime for the first time on the season and lost by three points to the Cardinals of Saginaw Valley State. Davenport built up a double digit lead during the second half, but found themselves needing a late bucket at the end of regulation to force overtime. During the overtime period Davenport turned the ball over four times and heaved a last second three to try and force a second overtime period. The Panthers had a chance to win this game, but couldn't find a way late.
 
THE BASICS
Final Score: Davenport-69 | Saginaw Valley State University-72
Location: University Center, Mich.
Records: Davenport 9-8 (3-6) | Saginaw Valley 6-11 (3-6)
 
POINTS PER HALF
First Half: DU-35 | SVSU-27
Second Half: DU-30 | SVSU-38
OT Period: DU-4 | SVSU-7
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Sophomore Robbie Bramhill scored the initial points of the game off of two free throws giving Davenport a 2-0 early lead. The two teams battled back and forth early in the game, with ties at 13:19 (9-9) and 9:15 (15-15) left in the half. The Panthers scored eight straight points to build up their largest lead of the first half after three pointers by Avery Hudson and Orlando Little. The Cardinals chipped down at the lead late in the half making the Panther lead 29-27 with 1:41 remaining. Davenport finished the half scoring six unanswered points, capped off by a CJ VanTimmeren layup after an offensive rebound, to take a 35-27 lead into halftime.
 
The Panthers carried the momentum into the second half. Following two free throws by Hudson Davenport held their largest lead of the game 44-33. Over the next six minutes and seven seconds the Cardinals flipped the script and took a one-point lead with 8:18 left in regulation. Saginaw Valley State created a five-point lead with just over seven minutes to play before Davenport went on a run of their own. The Panthers scored nine straight points and led 58-54 with 3:53 remaining after a Bramhill three pointer. With 46 seconds left in the game, the score tied 62-62, DU had the ball coming out of a timeout. Delano Smith drove the lane and got fouled in the act of shooting. Smith stepped to the line, missing his first and making his second free throw to give DU a 63-62 lead with 21 seconds remaining. The Cardinals come down and hit a three point shot with 11 seconds on the clock. Smith catches the inbound pass and goes coast to coast for the game tying layup with two seconds left to send the game into overtime.
 
During the overtime period Davenport goes 4/6 from the free line but goes 0/2 from the field and turns the ball over four times. With the score 69-70, in the Cardinals favor, DU has the ball with 31 seconds on the clock. Coming out of the timeout the Panthers turn the ball over, foul the Cardinals and proceed to go down by three points with eight seconds remaining. Janeau Joubert heaved up a deep three as time ran out that missed and the final horn sounded.
 
Smith (16) and Bramhill (15) led the scoring charge for Davenport in the game. The two combined to shoot 8/17 from the field, 4/9 from deep and 11/14 from the free throw line. John McCloud grabbed a team high 10 rebounds during his 40 minutes of play on the night.

UP NEXT
Davenport hosts both Northern Michigan and Michigan Tech this upcoming week. The two opponents are a combined 16-16 overall and 10-8 in conference play. This will be the first time DU has competed against either team this season.

Story by: Devin Steiner
 
Picture credit: Tyler Triemstra