GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Panther women's basketball team has already made strides under first-year head coach Shonda Sanders in 2022-23. After posting just two wins last season, the Panthers are 2-2 overall and are looking to surpass last season's win total before the month of November ends. This week, two more home games to conclude a four-game home stretch coming against Northwood (2-2) on Tuesday and Hillsdale (3-1) on Sunday. The GMAC opponents will be a tough task as the team continues to prepare for the GLIAC portion of their schedule which starts on Dec. 1 at Lake Superior State. Sophomore Lillee Gustafson has been a bright spot in the lineup increasing her productivity on both ends of the floor. She is shooting 60.6 percent, up from 38.3 percent from her freshman season, and averaging a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds per game. She is one of just two GLIAC players averaging a double-double this season. She also is tied for first in the conference with 2.0 blocked shots per contest.
 

● Findlay 62, Davenport 46 (Nov. 18)

The home opener did not go quite as planned against Findlay as the visitors claimed a 16-point road win over the Panthers. Davenport took an 8-4 lead in the first quarter as freshman Ellie Toney scored all eight points. DU went cold though as the Oilers went on a 15-0 run over the next six-plus minutes to take a 19-8 lead with 1:55 left in the quarter. Findlay led 28-19 at the break and then scored first in the third quarter on a three-pointer by Lauren Hapgood to lead 31-19. Makenna Bryant made one of two free throws at 6:08 of the quarter to make it 37-30, but then another cold spell by the Panthers occurred as they did not score for the rest of the quarter and trailed 46-30. Toney finished as the only Panther in double figures with 11 points and made 3-of-4 from the arc. She also had four rebounds, two assists, and a steal in 32 minutes. Lillee Gustafson scored nine points and grabbed 10 boards in 31 minutes.

● Davenport 56, Tiffin 55 (Nov. 19)

Junior guard Makenna Bryant had the biggest moment of her career on Saturday in a 56-55 win over Tiffin to improve the women's basketball team to 2-2 overall. The Panthers trailed by one when Lillee Gustafson had a layup blocked and Bryant grabbed the offensive rebound and was fouled for two free throws. She was just 3-of-11 at the free throw line this season before these attempts but after a timeout by Tiffin, she calmly knocked down both to give the Panthers a one-point lead with seven seconds left. Tiffin had one last look at a three-pointer by Kirsten Williams but it was off the mark and Gustafson secured the rebound for the thrilling win. Tiffin led 55-45 with 3:39 to play but the Panthers rallied with the game's final 11 points. Davenport outscored the Dragons 19-12 in the fourth quarter and shot 42.7 percent compared to 35.7 percent for the Dragons. Gustafson had her second double-double of the season and fourth of her career with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

LIVE COVERAGE
Tuesday, November 22 (Northwood) - 7:00 PM - Live Video (FloSports) - Live Stats
Sunday, November 27 (Hillsdale) - 2:00 PM - Live Video (FloSports) - Live Stats