GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Junior center
Lillee Gustafson had her 14th career double-double but it wasn't enough as the Panthers fell 59-52 in the season opener against Maryville. Gustafson scored 18 points and also had 14 rebounds and a career-high five steals in 34 minutes of action. She shot 8-of-16 from the floor and added two free throws. The Panthers kept the game close despite cold shooting from behind the arc (2-of-11) and at the free throw stripe (6-of-16).
The teams traded points in the first quarter and the score was knotted up at 11 with 1:30 left in the quarter. Maryville would score the last five points of the quarter to lead 16-11. The lead grew to seven points in the second quarter and at the end of the quarter it was 25-17 in favor of the Saints. Davenport saw the deficit grow to 35-21 at the 6:36 mark of the third quarter. The Panthers trailed 46-35 at the end of the third quarter. Davenport made a run in the fourth quarter and trailed 51-48 after a triple by
Alexa Kolnitys that banked in as the shot clock expired. The Panthers got a turnover but missed a layup and would not get closer than three points. Maryville missed a few free throws in the final two minutes but DU could not score in the final minute after a basket by Gustafson.
Davenport held an 18-8 edge in points off turnovers. The Panthers also outscored the Saints' bench 20-10. In addition, the Panthers ended with 40 points in the paint compared to 18 for Maryville. Antoinette Mussorici led the Saints with 22 points and went 8-of-10 at the free throw line. Karlee Feldman added a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds. Kolnitys added nine points for the Panthers.
Nevaeh Williams came off the bench to score eight points. She also had five rebounds, three steals and two assists in 24 minutes of action.
Davenport will now host Missouri-St. Louis tomorrow at 2 PM inside the DU Student Center.
