GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Senior Emily Severn scored a career-high 23 points and made a career-high six three-pointers in eight attempts as Davenport defeated Ferris State 68-63 for their third straight GLIAC win and their fourth win in their last five games. Davenport improves to 6-8 overall and 4-3 in the conference while Ferris State slips to 8-7 overall and 2-5 in the GLIAC. The game featured eight ties and 14 lead changes in the first all-time meeting between the teams.

HOW IT HAPPENED
-The first quarter was up-and-down the court and the teams were tied at 20 at the end of the quarter. The quarter featured five ties and 11 lead changes with Davenport scoring 10 points in the paint.
-The Panthers took a 30-24 lead in the first three minutes of the second quarter capped off by a Severn three-pointer from Claire Austin. The Bulldogs cut the deficit down to 32-31 with 2:35 left in the quarter on a layup by Riley Blair. Davenport scored the last three points of the quarter on a Severn layup and Kortney Deurloo free throw to take a 35-31 lead into the locker room.
-Davenport was 2-2 when leading at home at the half and finished the deal by leading a majority of the second half. The game was tied at 37 at the 7:09 mark of the third quarter but then the Panthers took the lead for good after a layup by Austin at the 6:04 mark.
-DU led 49-45 at the end of the third quarter and came out hot in the fourth to build a 56-45 lead after a 7-0 run to start the final quarter. Leah Humes' three-pointer ended the run by DU and then the Bulldogs scored the next four points to make it 56-52 with 3:23 left in the game.
-Ferris State had their chances at the free throw line in the fourth quarter but missed the first of two free throws five different times in the final 4:24. The missed opportunities allowed Davenport to keep a 61-54 lead with 2:28 left after Martyna Pioro made a pair of freebies. The Bulldogs made one final push cutting the lead to 63-60 with 21 seconds left but Pioro calmly made two more free throws to increase the lead to 65-60. Ferris State trailed 66-63 with four seconds left but Taylor Smith sealed the win with two free throws.

INSIDE THE BOX
-Davenport shot 42.9 percent from the floor marking the first time this season they have shot over 40 percent in back-to-back games.
-Ferris State shot 34.9 percent well below their season average of 43.3 percent. The Bulldogs and Panthers each had 18 turnovers.
-Severn finished 8-of-13 from the floor and also grabbed seven rebounds in 38 minutes.
-Jenna Falkenberg scored 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting. She also had a team-high eight rebounds and a team-high four blocked shots.
-Pioro added 11 points including 5-of-6 at the free throw line and also had four assists and no turnovers.
-Davenport went 10-of-16 at the foul line in the fourth quarter alone and Ferris State went 7-of-15 in the final quarter.

UP NEXT
-The Panthers are back at home on Thursday, January 11 at 5:30 p.m. against Northwood. The Timberwolves are 9-4 overall and 5-2 in the GLIAC South.