GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The most interesting start to a basketball game ended in a positive way for the Davenport women's basketball team on Saturday in a 57-47 win over Tiffin. The game was delayed by a malfunction with the scoreboard system and Tiffin was given a technical free throw which Savanah Richards made for a 1-0 lead before tip-off.
The Panthers would gain their first lead at 8-7 with 5:41 left in the first quarter on a floating jumper by
Mary Liedel. The lead would change hands a few times throughout the quarter before the Dragons scored the final five points to lead 16-13 after 10 minutes. Tiffin grew the lead to 20-13 at the 8:16 mark of the second quarter as Rachel Reichard hit a jumper. The Panthers kept the game within one possession as the second quarter ended with the Dragons holding a 26-24 lead at halftime. Presley Feltner led Tiffin with eight points in the first half.
Lillee Gustafson led the Panthers with 10 points at the break.
Davenport regained the lead briefly at 27-26 as
Ellie Toney nailed a three-pointer to start the third quarter. Tiffin took over the lead on their next possession and held it until 2:59 left in the quarter as Gustafson tied the game at 37 on a free throw to complete a three-point play. DU led 45-43 heading into the fourth quarter and then played a fantastic final 10 minutes. The Dragons were only able to score four points and the Panthers led the whole quarter en route to the 10-point win. Tiffin went 2-of-12 shooting from the field including 0-of-9 from the arc in the fourth quarter. DU shot 4-of-8 from the field and made four free throws to score 12 points in the final quarter.
Gustafson had a season-high 20 points (3rd 20-point game in her career) and recorded her 17th career and fourth double-double of the season with 12 rebounds. She went 8-of-14 from the field and also had three steals and two assists. Toney added 12 points for her 11th career and third double-digit scoring game. She also had three rebounds, two steals, and one blocked shot.
Isabel Lindo scored 14 points for her second double-digit scoring game of the season. She made two three's and also had three offensive rebounds.
Mary Liedel set a new career high with five steals. DU had a 33-22 edge in points in the paint. There were a total of 13 lead changes and three ties in the contest.
The Panthers will take a holiday break and be back in action on December 28 at Hillsdale (3:00 PM).
