MARQUETTE, Mich. - Despite a career high 35 points (27 in the first half) from Chris Rollins, the Davenport University men's basketball gave up 100 points for the first time in over 13 years in a 100-70 loss at Northern Michigan on Saturday. The Panthers trailed by only nine at the break, 46-37, before they were outscored by 19 in the second half, 54-33. These two teams will go back at it on Sunday with the opening tip set for 1 p.m.

Rollins scored his 35 points on 14-of-25 shooting including 5-of-9 from three and became the first Panther with a 30-point game in over two years since Avery Hudson put up 32 at Ashland on Feb. 1, 2019. Rollins' 35 is good for fifth in program history and was joined by six rebounds, one assist and a block in 36 minutes on the court. Also scoring in double-figures for Davenport was Jeff Carrier personal best 10 points. The team's other leaders included James Felton with 10 rebounds (career high) and two blocks, Jarrin Randall with four assists (tied career high), and Elijah Belle with a pair of steals.

There were four ties and four lead changes in the first 24 total points scored, but once it was 12-12, Northern Michigan went on a 10-2 run to go up by eight, 22-14. Davenport was able to cut it to four twice at 24-20 and 29-25, but the Wildcats led by as many as 14, 46-32, before the nine-point halftime advantage. Out of the break, the home team put the pedal to the metal with a lead that grew to as big as 35, 88-53, prior to the final margin of 30 points.

Story by: Cooper Weidenthaler