GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Davenport competed for the first time in a little over a week and couldn't shake their current losing streak. The Panthers fell at home to the Wildcats of Northern Michigan 82-91. The Wildcats improved to 8-3 in conference play while DU dropped to 3-7. Delano Smith, Nick Malonga and Robbie Bramhill carried the load offensively, scoring 53 of the teams 82 points on the night.
 
THE BASICS
Final Score: Davenport-82 | Northern Michigan University-91
Location: Grand Rapids, Mich.
Records: Davenport 9-9 (3-7) | Northern Michigan 11-7 (8-3)
 
POINTS PER HALF
First Half: DU-33 | NMU-40
Second Half: DU-49 | NMU-51
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Davenport jumped out on top of the Wildcats quickly in the first half despite the eight days off from competition. The Panthers led 9-4 about four minutes into the game after two made free throws by Malonga. A few possessions later Northern Michigan took over the lead and held that for the remainder of the game. The Wildcats built up an 11-point lead with just over five minutes left in the half. Davenport stormed back down the stretch and cut the lead down to three points following two free throws from Orlando Little. Northern Michigan scored the final four points of the half and Davenport trailed 33-40 at halftime.
 
The Panthers scored five straight to open the second half, Bramhill hit a three and then Malonga finished a layup. Davenport cut the lead down to a one possession game multiple times throughout the half, just couldn't get past the final hump to gain the lead. Following a Malonga layup DU trailed by only two points with 11:07 left in the game. Northern Michigan went on a 11-2 run to push their lead back to 11 points. The Wildcats maintained a lead of six or more points for the rest of the game.
 
Smith led all scorers on the night with 23 points on 9/13 shooting from the field, he also added three rebounds and dished out six assists. Malonga scored 16 points, while Bramhill chipped in 14 points. Bramhill also led DU in rebounds with seven. Braima Hai led the Panthers in assists with seven and added six points.

UP NEXT
The Panthers play Michigan Tech on Thursday at a neutral site in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. Davenport and the Huskies will play at 2:00 p.m. at Lake Superior State.

Story by: Devin Steiner
 
Picture credit: Tyler Triemstra