GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Davenport women's basketball team picked up their first GLIAC win of the season on Monday afternoon with a 64-62 decision over Lake Superior State. The Panthers trailed by seven points heading into the fourth quarter but outscored the Lakers 24-15 in the fourth for the comeback victory.
"I'm extremely proud of the way our girls competed today, especially in the second half," said interim head coach
Travis Schuba. "We have learned how to continue to battle over the course of 40 minutes rather than laying down once the other team goes on a run. Down 10 with 5 to go and we find a way to win. That speaks volume on the growth our girls have made. I told them once we learned how to battle for 40 and cut into deficits consistently then we will learn how to come away with those wins. This is another big step for us after a heartbreaking loss Saturday."
The first half saw the Lakers shoot 60.9 percent which was way over their 36.6 percent for the season. They also hit on 6-of-13 from the arc entering the game shooting 21 percent for the season. Davenport trailed 35-28 at the break and themselves shot 34.4 percent but were just 1-of-7 from deep.
Davenport had a run in the third quarter to tie the game at 38 just after the media timeout. Lake Superior State responded with a strong final four minutes and gained a 47-40 lead heading into the fourth. The lead grew to 50-40 on a triple in the first minute of the quarter, but then the Panthers began to use a full-court press that changed the tempo. The Lakers turned it over five times compared to one for the Panthers in the fourth and DU scored five points off those turnovers.
The final push came with 5:17 remaining as LSSU led 54-44 after a pair of free throws. The Panthers battled back to tie it 56 apiece with 2:39 to play after
Scout Nelson made the first of her two free throws. Her second free throw was also good and DU took the lead for good.
Toni Grace made a pair of free throws with 25 seconds left for a 63-58 lead. Grace was then fouled again after a Laker bucket and missed the first free throw. She calmly nailed the second for a two-possession lead and the Lakers got a layup at the buzzer for the 64-62 margin.
Nelson led the team with 18 points going 6-of-10 from the floor and 6-of-6 at the foul line. Grace added 17 points and three assists.
Lillee Gustafson was one point shy of a double-double with nine points and 10 boards. DU shot 40 percent in the second half and were 11-of-14 at the foul line in the fourth quarter.
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