GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Freshman
Alexa Kolnitys had a breakout game on Thursday night with a career-high 23 points in an 81-68 loss to Parkside. Kolnitys connected on 6-of-9 from behind the arc and also tied a career high with five rebounds and had one steal and one blocked shot. She scored 10 points in the first half and added 13 more after the break.
Davenport did not have a lead at any point of the game and was playing catch up throughout. The Rangers came out scorching hot in the first quarter scoring 29 points which included 10-of-17 from the floor including 7-of-8 from behind the arc. Sheridan Flauger scored 11 points in the quarter and went 3-of-3 from the arc.
After trailing 50-31 at halftime, the Panthers were able to make a run in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to 66-57 with 5:50 remaining in the game.
Scout Nelson got a steal in the backcourt and DU had a chance with a three-pointer in the corner to make it a six-point game. The Rangers dodged the bullet and put an end to DU's 8-0 run as Alyssa Nelson buried a three-pointer to stretch the lead back to 69-57. Then Paty Gallasova converted a three-point play to increase the lead up to 72-57 with 4:43 left to go. That sequence changed the momentum and the Rangers finished with their second win against the Panthers this season.
Nelson led all scorers for the Rangers with 31 points, the most by an opposing player this season against DU. She finished 11-of-18 from the field including 7-of-9 from the arc. Joining Kolnitys for the Panthers in double figures was
Lillee Gustafson with 16 points and she also got her ninth double-double of the season and 11th of her career with 14 rebounds. Gustafson also set a career high with five assists and had one steal and one blocked shot.
Scout Nelson had 10 points for DU and also contributed six assists and no turnovers in 29 minutes.
