INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Panthers played their third straight GLVC opponent and third straight road game to open the 2019-20 season. Davenport had a tough task at hand, facing a team in the Greyhounds who were 2-0 heading into the game. The game was decided by only three points, that's all that stood between the Panthers and their first win of the season. Davenport made a comeback late in the fourth quarter, but the time ran out before they could garner a lead.
 
THE BASICS
Final Score: Davenport-86 | Indianapolis-89
Location: Indianapolis, Ind.
 
POINTS PER HALF
First Quarter: DU-20 | UI-13
Second Quarter: DU-18 | UI-28
Third Quarter: DU-25 | UI-29
Fourth Quarter: DU-23 | UI-19
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Davenport knew that they needed to gather a lead quickly in this game or else it was going to be tough fighting against the home crowd for the Greyhounds throughout. The Panthers took the challenge head on, earning a 20-13 lead after the opening 10 minutes of play. The game was tied 13-13 with 3:33 to play in the quarter and the Panthers finished on a seven point run, including buckets from Toni Grace, Madison Jones, and Scout Nelson.
 
The Panthers opened the second quarter on a small run, scoring three points and bringing their lead to double digits by a score of 23-13. The Greyhounds scored a bunch of points from that point on, outscoring Davenport 28-15 over the final nine minutes of the half. The Panthers trailed by three points heading into the break, putting them in a good spot in a hostile road environment.
 
The lead grew tremendously for Indianapolis in the third quarter, as they scored 18 points compared to only two by Davenport in the opening 4:13. Davenport had a looming deficit, down by 19 points, on the road, in the third quarter of the game. The Panthers needed to score and cut down the lead heading into the final quarter, which they did. Davenport ended the final three minutes of play outscoring the Greyhounds by a score of 17-8, trailing by seven points heading into the final quarter.
 
Davenport completely erased the 19-point deficit after a pair of free throws by Grace with 4:24 to play in the fourth quarter. The free throws completed a substantial deficit that was vanquished by the hands of Grace, Jones and the rest of the Panthers. Following the free throws by Grace, Indianapolis went on a 10-2 run, taking an eight-point advantage with 1:12 to play. Davenport connected on threes by Kenzie Wilkinson and Jones down the stretch, but the buzzer sounded before the Panthers could gain the lead or tie the game.

STAT LEADERS
Points: Jones (25)
Rebounds: Emily Lange (6)
Assists: Lange (3)
Steals: Jones/Scaggs/Grace (3)
Blocks: Courtney McInerney/Taylor Opolka/Lange/Jones
 
COACHES CORNER
"Proud of our ladies, they showed a lot of fight. A couple of areas we need to clean up, but very proud of the way they competed!" – Head Coach Rick Albro.

PLAYERS OF THE GAME


 
UP NEXT
Davenport plays their home-opener on Tuesday, November 19 against Grace Christian University. The opening tip is set for 7:00 p.m.
 
Story by: Devin Steiner
 
Picture credit: Malachi Corliss