GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Davenport returned to their home court for a pair of GLIAC games this week. The Panthers opened with Michigan Tech, who came into the contest with a 6-11 record in conference play. Davenport took care of business in the DU Student Center, winning by a score of 72-59. The win helps improve the Panthers win streak to 10 games, which is a season-high for DU. Dyllon Hudson-Emory led the way for Davenport with 20 points, all of which he scored in the second half.
 
THE BASICS
Final Score: Davenport-72 | Michigan Tech-59
Location: Grand Rapids, Mich.


 
POINTS PER HALF
First Half: DU-30 | MTU-23
Second Half: DU-42 | MTU-36
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
An unusual occurrence happened in the first half of basketball for the Panthers. Avery Hudson and Hudson-Emory combined for only three points. Hudson scored three, while Hudson-Emory went scoreless as he was in foul trouble and played just four minutes of basketball. Despite the Panthers two top scorers combining for only three points, Davenport held a seven-point lead at halftime. This was largely because of Janeau Joubert and the stellar offensive half of basketball that he put together. Joubert poured in 14 points and went 5/6 from the field. The Panthers rode Joubert's hot hand in the half and combined that with stifling defense to hold the lead at half.
 
Davenport opened the second half with a fast break dunk by Khadim Dieng, giving them a nine-point lead. The lead hit double digits for the first time in the game when Hudson-Emory hit a pair of free throws with 16:13 to play. Davenport scored on their next two possessions, a layup by Hudson-Emory and a three by Hudson, which forced the Huskies into taking a 30-second timeout. The Panthers lead grew to as many as 17 in the half when Robbie Bramhill found himself wide open under the rim for a layup, assisted by Zach Pangborn. Michigan Tech went on a run late to cut the lead down to single digits, rattling off seven straight points and cutting the lead to eight points with 2:25 to play in the game. Davenport clamped down on defense, holding the Huskies scoreless over the final couple minutes.

STAT LEADERS
Points: Hudson-Emory (20)
Rebounds: Hudson (11)
Assists: Rollins (5)
Steals: Hudson (3)
Blocks: Dieng/Joubert/Bramhill (1)
 
INTERESTING FACTS
-The tenth-game win streak is the longest of the season.
-Davenport is the first GLIAC team to reach 15 conference wins this season.
-Hudson-Emory scored all of his game-high 20 points in the second half,
 
UP NEXT
The Panthers host Northern Michigan on Saturday for senior day! Davenport would clinch at least a share of the GLIAC regular-season title if they win against the Wildcats.
 
Story by: Devin Steiner
 
Picture credit: Andy Visockis