GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Davenport women's basketball team started off a four-game home stretch on Thursday with a 71-51 setback against Michigan Tech. The Huskies used a double-digit advantage in the second and fourth quarters while the Panthers kept it even in the first and third quarters. Michigan Tech takes the season series with the win improving to 13-8 overall (8-5 GLIAC). Davenport falls to 2-21 overall (1-14 GLIAC) and will next take on Northern Michigan on Saturday on Senior Day.
Loni Sales,
Toni Grace, and
Kenzie Wilkinson will be honored.
The Panthers came out in the first quarter and played very well leading 16-12. Neither team led by more than three points in the first 9:58 before Grace hit a shot with two seconds left which gave DU a four-point advantage. The Panthers were able to shoot 40 percent in the quarter and held the Huskies to 33.3 percent.
Scout Nelson scored five points in the quarter and the Panthers committed just three turnovers.
The lead grew to 18-12 on a pair of Grace free throws to start the second quarter. The Panthers kept a lead until the 2:53 mark when Michigan Tech took a 26-25 lead on a Sloane Zenner basket in the paint. DU had a scoring drought of 5:13 to end the quarter and the Huskies went on an 11-0 during that span to lead 31-25 at halftime. Davenport shot 18.8 percent in the quarter compared to 40 percent and 6-of-6 at the foul line by MTU. Ellie Mackay paced the Huskies with 14 points in the first half.
The lead for Michigan Tech grew to double figures for the first time at the 8:44 mark of the third quarter. The Huskies built a 43-26 lead with 7:12 left in the quarter meaning they went on a 23-1 run in a span of eight minutes to end the second and start the third quarters. Davenport fought back to down six points at 43-37 with 3:48 left in the quarter on a three-pointer by Nelson.
Down by nine entering the fourth quarter, DU saw MTU stretch their lead back to 61-45 midway through the final quarter and end any comeback chances. After that first quarter for the Panthers, they could not shoot better than 30 percent for the remaining three quarters. They finished 16-of-58 (27.6) from the floor including 6-of-22 behind the arc. Michigan Tech shot 26-of-59 (44.1) from the floor and were 11-of-29 behind the arc. Nelson led DU with 13 points to go with three rebounds, two assists and zero turnovers in 34 minutes. Grace added 11 points, three rebounds, and two assists in 28-plus minutes.
Jaci Walker scored seven points and recorded two steals.
Â
