GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Panthers continued their home stretch with another non-conference team, this time the University of Findlay out of the GMAC. Davenport was the underdog coming in, holding a record of 1-3 compared to a 3-2 mark by the Oilers. The game was close throughout, but Davenport made the plays down the stretch to secure the win. Freshman Elise Scaggs notched a double double with 13 rebounds and 10 points tonight.
 
THE BASICS
Final Score: Davenport-73 | Findlay-70
Location: Grand Rapids, Mich.
 
POINTS PER HALF
First Quarter: DU-21 | UF-14
Second Quarter: DU-17 | UF-22
Third Quarter: DU-14 | UF-16
Fourth Quarter: DU-21 | UF-18
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The opening three minutes of the game were a completely different story than the other 37 minutes. Findlay jumped out to a 9-0 lead just 2:55 into the contest and Davenport was still looking for their first bucket. The first points for DU came from Kenzie Wilkinson on a layup, assisted by Courtney McInerney. The Panthers proceeded to go on an 11-0 run to take an 11-9 lead with 3:05 to go in the quarter. Davenport ended the quarter with a three from Toni Grace and Madison Jones to hold a 21-14 lead heading into the second.
 
The lead grew to 10 for DU after Grace hit a pair of threes in the opening four minutes of play. The Oilers erased the lead, going on a 13-3 run to tie the game at 32-32 with 1:58 in the first half. Davenport was able to take a slight lead at the half after Grace drilled her third three of the quarter, making the score 38-36 in favor of DU.
 
The largest lead for either team in the third quarter was four points. The lead bounced back and forth between the teams, with the game being tied on three separate occasions. Davenport had been in similar situations earlier in the season and used that experience in the fourth quarter of this game.
 
Davenport found themselves down 60-62 with 5:48 in regulation, after a layup by Findlay. The Panthers grinded and went on a 7-2 run to take a 67-62 lead. The run was controlled by Scout Nelson and Scaggs, who scored five of the points from the charity stripe. The lead was cut down to one point with 1:18 on the clock after a fast break jumper by the Oilers. Grace stepped up and hit four crucial free throws with under a minute to play, pushing the Panther lead to a two-possession game. Findlay had a chance for a last second heave from just inside half court to tie the game, but the ball hit the backboard and bounced off the rim and away. Davenport successfully closed out the game, on their home court, against a solid NCAA Division II opponent.

STAT LEADERS
Points: Grace (24)
Rebounds: Scaggs (13)
Assists: Wilkinson (4)
Steals: Scaggs (5)
Blocks: N/A
 
COACHES CORNER
"A big step forward. We finished the game against a very good team, without making many shots. The difference in the game was rebounding for us, 17 offensive rebounds and 14 points scored from those were huge." – Head Coach Rick Albro
 
 
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS


PLAYER OF THE GAME

 
UP NEXT
The Panthers look for a clean sweep of the GMAC as they host Hillsdale on Sunday. The game is expected to start at 2:00 p.m. inside the DU Student Center.
 
Story by: Devin Steiner
 
Picture credit: Chris duMond