GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - It's a long bus ride to the Upper Peninsula this week for the women's basketball team as they square off with Northern Michigan on Thursday (5:30 PM) and Michigan Tech on Saturday (12:00 PM). The Panthers were in action once last week as they hosted Ferris State on Saturday. The team was scheduled to face Lake Superior State at home on Thursday, but the game was postponed due to COVID-19 protocols. As of now, that game was not been rescheduled.

•  Ferris State 72, Davenport 55: DU found themselves leading 39-37 at halftime against Ferris State, but a strong second half by the Bulldogs propelled them to a 72-55 win over DU. In particular, the third quarter belonged to the Bulldogs as they outscored the Panthers 24-7 to change the momentum. The Panthers came out firing at 56.3 percent in the first quarter and built a 22-15 lead after 10 minutes. The blitz to end the quarter in the last 1:47 saw DU go on an 8-1 run. Ajai Simmons started the run with a driving layup followed by a Ryan Harvey three-pointer and a Simmons triple with 14 seconds on the clock.

The lead grew to 11 points (29-18) after a Claire Borsheim three-pointer with 7:16 left until halftime. Ferris State began to chip away with a 9-0 run over the next two minutes and suddenly it was 29-27. Davenport would keep the lead by a bucket at intermission and led for 13:43 in the first half. Jaci Walker connected on a pair of free throws to open the third quarter scoring but then the clamps were put down for the Bulldogs on defense. They took and increased their lead to 49-42 at the 4:37 mark of the third and forced a 30-second Davenport timeout. The lead hit double digits for the first time at 53-43 with 3:03 to play in the quarter and Ferris State ended the quarter up 61-46. Davenport just couldn't buy a bucket going 1-of-15 from the floor and that field goal was a Harvey three-pointer with 2:02 left in the quarter.

Toni Grace and Simmons led the team with 13 points. Grace also grabbed six rebounds and dished out two assists in 30 minutes. Simmons came off the bench to go 4-of-11 including 2-of-6 from beyond the arc. The Bulldogs did their damage in the paint outscoring DU 38-16.

•  Scouting Report (NMU):  This will be the 12th meeting between the teams on Thursday and Davenport is looking to pick up another road win against the Wildcats. The last time they played at NMU was their first GLIAC Tournament win on March 2, 2021 in the first round (61-45). Davenport had their largest margin of victory over the Wildcats in the all-time series. Scout Nelson led the Panthers with 18 points. She was 6-of-12 from the floor and also had five rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Toni Grace added 16 points including 4-of-8 behind the arc. Emily Lange scored 10 points and grabbed five rebounds. Ryan Harvey had eight points and six rebounds off the bench. The Wildcats are 5-1 at home this season and are coming off two road losses against Wayne State (71-56) and Purdue Northwest (59-56) last week.

•  Scouting Report (MTU):  The Panthers are looking to snap a four-game skid against the Huskies and have yet to win in Houghton in five tries. The last meeting was in the GLIAC quarterfinals on March 4, 2021 in Westville, Ind. The Huskies won 79-52 and shot 52.7 percent from the floor. Toni Grace led the Panthers with 13 points. Scout Nelson added nine points. Michigan Tech is currently in second place in the GLIAC standings (5-1) and have won two in a row entering this week. They have a battle with first-place Grand Valley State (6-1) on Thursday in Houghton. Their last game was a 66-60 win on Jan. 13 at Wayne State. Alex Rondorf led the Huskies with 21 points connecting on 8-of-12 from the field. MTU went 15-of-18 at the foul line including 8-of-8 from Ellie Mackay who finished with 12 points.

LIVE COVERAGE
Thursday, Jan. 20 - Northern Michigan (5:30 PM) - Listen (Ken Clemens) - Live Stats - Live Video (Fee)
Saturday, Jan. 22 - Michigan Tech (12:00 PM) - Listen (Ken Clemens) - Live Stats - Live Video (Fee)