GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Davenport women's basketball team could breathe a sigh of relief but it took overtime to get to that point as they got their first GLIAC win of the season on Saturday over Wayne State. The Panthers took care of business in overtime tied at 61 by outscoring the Warriors 14-4.
Alexa Kolnitys started overtime with a big three-pointer which was her first make in five tries for the game. The Panthers then went inside to
Lillee Gustafson for back-to-back baskets in the paint to build a 68-61 lead. The 9-0 run by DU was capped with a pair of free throws by
Mary Liedel with 1:13 left in the game. The Warriors did not score until 1:03 and then made two free throws with 36 seconds left. DU got two free throws by Kolnitys and
Makenna Bryant and
Scout Nelson split at the line with 14 seconds left to end the scoring. Wayne State shot just 1-of-9 in overtime while DU was 3-of-3 in addition to 7-of-10 at the free throw line.
The balance on offense was the key for the Panthers who had five players score in double figures for the first time this season. Liedel led the team with 17 points scoring in double figures for the fifth time this season. She also had her first double-double with 11 rebounds to go with two assists, two blocks, and a steal in a season-high 41 minutes. Gustafson finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds before fouling out in 25 minutes. She did most of this in the second half and overtime after just three rebounds and no points in the first half.
Nelson had 12 points and six rebounds while also taking care of the ball with four assists and just one turnover.
Jaci Walker had a season-high 12 points off the bench in 16 minutes and grabbed four rebounds. Bryant added 11 points in 31 minutes and also had three rebounds and three assists.
Claire Gregwer got her first start of the season and grabbed eight rebounds.
