UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. - Davenport made five free throws in the second half at Saginaw Valley State on Thursday night, all of which came in the final 30+ seconds after the home team had pulled within one, 62-61. The Panthers went 5-for-7 from the charity stripe in that span, outscored the Cardinals 5-1 and held on for the five-point victory, 67-62, inside James E. O'Neill Arena.

Davenport (13-13, 9-10 GLIAC) handed Saginaw Valley State (17-10, 11-8 GLIAC) just its third home loss of the season (12-3), became only the second GLIAC team to sweep the season series over the Cardinals (Ferris State) and won a seventh-straight game in the teams' all-time series (7-2). Next up, the Panthers will finish their 2021-22 regular season on Saturday at Wayne State with the tip set for 3 p.m. in Detroit.

Chris Rollins (19 points) led the team in scoring for the 29th time in his career and 10th time this season, both of which are tops on the squad. Also scoring in double-figures for Davenport were Marcedus Leech Jr. with 13 and Jairus Stevens with 12. Rollins also led the Panthers in rebounds (8) and assists (6) while Luke Maranka blocked three shot attempts and Leech Jr. racked up six steals (career high).

Maranka has now finished with two or more blocks in five-straight games and has that many in nine outings this season. Heading into the final game of the regular season, the Ada, Mich. native has 33 for the year, which is tied with Lorenzo Ecford (2009-10) for sixth in program history and is the most by a Panther since John McCloud's 45 in 2015-16. James Humphrey holds the program record of 65 set in 2011-12.

Former Panther and the conference's sixth-leading scorer, Delano Smith (8 points), was held to single-digit points for just the fourth time this season, but just the second time when playing at least 29 minutes (Jan. 20 at PNW). Thursday, Saginaw Valley State was paced by Freddie McIntosh (13 points) and Darnell Hoskins Jr. (11 points).

Davenport held Saginaw Valley State to just 39.7 percent shooting (23-of-58) and improved to 11-2 when the opponent converts below 40 percent of its field goal attempts. The Cardinals came into this game averaging nearly 79 points of offense per game, which was good for second in the league, but mustered just 62 on Thursday night. The Panthers are also now 9-3 overall and 6-2 in GLIAC play when leading their opponent at halftime.

Story by: Cooper Weidenthaler
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