GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Following a 12-day break away from competition after the loss at Hillsdale, the Davenport University men's basketball team was happy to be back home and it showed on Thursday night against Purdue Northwest in the GLIAC opener. Holding a halftime lead of just five, 42-37, the Panthers once again turned it on in the second half to outscore the Pride by 14, 51-37, and win their fifth home game in a row, 93-74.

Four Panthers scored in double-figures led by Tafari Beckford's 19 points (tied career high), which tied the game high, to go with five rebounds, two assists and a block in 22 minutes. Next up, Chris Pearl turned in his second double-double effort of the season thanks to 18 points (Davenport best), 13 rebounds (tied Davenport high), four steals, and an efficient shooting night at 9-of-13 from the field. Jarrin Randall tied his personal best with 16 points and Chris Rollins added 13. Rollins also racked up seven assists, one off his career high.

Also of note in the scoring column, both Nestor Daboin (collegiate debut) and Case Conley scored their first-career points.

In the first half, Purdue Northwest enjoyed just two leads at 3-2 and 5-3 before leading by as many as three at 6-3. Aside from that and five ties, Davenport had the upper hand throughout. In those first 20 minutes, the Panthers' biggest lead was seven, 42-35, and came right before that five-point halftime lead.

In the first four minutes and change out of the intermission, the home team outscored its visitors, 16-4, which put the lead at 17, 58-41. From that point on, Davenport's advantage was never smaller than 13 (50-37 and 66-53) before it grew to as large as 29 (91-62).

Next up, the Panthers' season-long five-game homestand continues on Saturday with another GLIAC showdown. They'll face Parkside with the opening tip set for 3 p.m. following the women's game.

Story by: Cooper Weidenthaler