WESTVILLE, Ind. - The women's basketball team continued a stretch of four games away from home in their GLIAC opener on Thursday at Purdue Northwest. The Panthers coming off a pair of tough games during the Thanksgiving weekend put together a quick start and held on late for a 67-62 win over the Pride. Davenport sits at 3-4 overall while the Pride falls to 2-4.
Davenport and Purdue Northwest played to an 8-8 tie in the opening 4:22 of the game, but then DU went on a 7-0 run to take a 15-8 lead with 3:15 left in the quarter.
Jenna Falkenberg had a layup followed by a
Toni Grace triple and a jumper by
Taylor Opolka. The Panthers led 20-12 at the end of the first quarter with 12 points coming off turnovers and 10 points scored in the paint.
The Panthers continued to lead by double figures throughout the second quarter and led by as many as 16 (35-19) with 4:19 left in the quarter. The Pride faced a 12-point deficit heading into the locker room. DU shot 16-of-35 in the first half from the floor and made four three-pointers.
The lead stretched to 18 (45-27) at the 7:33 mark of the third quarter as
Amanda Merz converted on a layup. Purdue Northwest fought back to down 10 with 55 seconds left in the quarter and then DU scored the final four points to take a 54-40 lead into the fourth quarter.
Davenport played a little tight on both ends of the floor in the final quarter. The Pride got the deficit under double digits at 56-48 with 8:21 to play as Shae Rhonehouse connected on a three-pointer. Rhonehouse helped spearhead the comeback with 11 points in the quarter. Purdue Northwest trimmed the lead down to 59-57 with 4:03 remaining on a Rhonehouse jumper.
Davenport weathered the storm and didn't give up the lead. Purdue Northwest got to 63-62 with 49 seconds to go as Danielle Nennig split at the free throw line. Merz split at the line making the second free throw for a 64-62 lead with 30 seconds to go. The Pride had a turnover and Merz missed both free throws to give Purdue Northwest another chance. Another turnover and steal by Merz put her back to the line with 12 ticks left. She split at the stripe making the second for a three-point lead. Nennig got a good look to tie the game and the ball spun off the rim and out of bounds off the Pride. Merz was fouled and this time nailed both free throws with two seconds left to seal the win.
Davenport shot 41.7 percent from the floor and 70.6 percent at the free throw line. Falkenberg had her third double-double of the season and 12th of her career with 18 points and 12 rebounds in 33 minutes. Grace set a career-high with 17 points and grabbed six rebounds off the bench in 28 minutes.
Martyna Pioro scored all 12 of her points in the first half. Merz finished with 10 points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals in 35 minutes.
