GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Trailing their opponent at halftime for the fourth time this season and third game in a row, the Davenport University men's basketball team was looking at a 16-point deficit, 39-23, on Monday night against Division III Albion. However, just like the last two times, the Panthers turned it on in the second half, outscored the Britons by 19, 49-30, and escaped with a 72-69 victory, their fourth in a row. In those last three second halves, Davenport has outscored its opponents by 47, 136-89, and has a second-half advantage of 54 points, 313-259, for the season.

Marcedus Leech Jr. (20 points) led all scorers with his fifth-career 20-point game, but first at the Division II level, on 7-of-13 shooting, including 4-of-9 from behind the arc. Leech Jr. also notched five rebounds, two steals and an assist while Chris Rollins was the other Panther in double-figures thanks to 11 points, five assists, four rebounds, and a block. Jakub Dombek paced all players in rebounds with six while Jaylen Hodges was a menace on the defensive end racking up a pair of blocks and six steals, a mark that is tied for ninth in program history.

Albion scored the first field goal of the game with a three-pointer and had the advantage for the entirety of the first half. The Britons led by as many as 17 at one point, 35-18, and went into the locker room up 16, as mentioned above.

Out of the break, the visitors made a layup and hit a three to take their biggest lead of the game at 21, 44-23. Then, slowly but surely, the home team chipped away and was able to tie the game up for the first time with just over six and a half minutes to play, 60-60. Following three more ties, the last being 69-69, Noble Cooper, Rollins and Chaz Birchfield each converted a free throw to seal the victory for Davenport.

Once it was tied 60-60, Albion went just 2-of-9 from the floor and 4-of-8 at the free throw line the rest of the game.

Next up, GLIAC play resumes as Davenport will be at Parkside (3-4, 1-1 GLIAC) on Thursday with the opening tip set for 8:30 p.m. ET.

Story by: Cooper Weidenthaler