By: Justice Steiner, Assistant Manager of Athletic Communications
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Davenport men's basketball team hits the road for the final time in its 2022-23 regular season campaign, taking on Wayne State in Detroit, Mich. on Thursday at 7:30 p.m., followed by Saginaw Valley State in University Center, Mich. on Saturday at 3 p.m.
Last time out, Marcedus Leech Jr. and James Felton led the Panthers (7-17, 3-11 GLIAC) to a 77-71 victory over Michigan Tech. Leech Jr., the GLIACs' leading scorer with 20.7 points per game, poured in 30 points in the victory, including a 23-point first-half performance. Felton scored a career-high 21 points against the Huskies (7-17, 4-11 GLIAC).
Earlier in the week, the backcourt tandem of Leech Jr. and Jordan Sterling combined for 42 points in a loss to Northern Michigan. Leech Jr. led all scorers in the game with 25 points, three rebounds, three assists, and two blocks. Sterling stuffed the stat sheet with 17 points, five rebounds, three assists, and three steals for the Panthers. The graduate student guard has totaled nine steals throughout the last three games and has recorded three steals in four games this season.
Scouting the Opponents
Wayne State
Series Record: DU leads 6-5
Last Meeting: 1/14/23 - Wayne State defeated Davenport 80-66 at the DU Student Center
About the Warriors
Wayne State is currently tied with Purdue Northwest for the No. 7 spot in the GLIAC standings. The Warriors defeated the Pride on Dec. 9, 74-55, and will match up again in the last game of the season on Saturday, Feb. 25 in Hammond, Ind.
The Warriors played their best stretch of basketball in early January, going on a three-game winning streak, knocking off Michigan Tech, Grand Valley State, and Davenport. WSU is now on a seven-game losing streak, struggling after the success early in the new year.
Wayne States' Avery Lewis sits atop the GLIAC in rebounds per game, averaging 6.7 on the year. As a team, the Warriors rank second in the conference in RPG (39.25). The redshirt senior forward also averages 14.1 ppg (second highest on the team), shooting 49 percent from the floor and adding 2.1 assists per game.
Redshirt senior forward Antonio Marshall averages a team-high 14.8 points per game. The guard earned GLIAC Player of the Week honors in week 9, leading the Warriors to victories over GVSU and DU. Marshall averaged 30 points throughout the two wins, hitting six triples in each game.
Saginaw Valley State
Series Record: DU leads 8-3
Last Meeting: 1/12/23 - Saginaw Valley State defeated Davenport 77-65 at the DU Student Center
About the Cardinals
Saginaw Valley is currently No. 6 in the GLIAC, three wins behind No. 5 GVSU and two wins ahead of No. 7 PNW/WSU.
The Cardinals rank as one of the GLIACs' best defensive teams, ranking second in blocks per game (3.8), third in defensive field goal percentage (43.7), third in defensive rebounds per game (26.96), first in steals per game (7.7), and second in turnovers forced per game (13.97).
SVSU rosters two of the top 12 scorers in the GLIAC, Freddie McIntosh (15.5 ppg) and Tre Garrett (14.3 ppg). Garrett shoots an impressive 51.2 percent from the field on the season. The junior guard also averages 2.2 steals per game, marking the second-highest in the GLIAC.
Live Coverage:
Thursday, Feb. 16 at Wayne State (7:30 PM) - Live Video (FloSports) - Live Stats
Saturday, Feb. 18 at Saginaw Valley State (3:00 PM) - Live Video (FloSports) - Live Stats
Up Next
The Panthers will conclude the 2022-23 season with a pair of home games against Ferris State at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 23 and Lake Superior State at 3 p.m. on Feb .25.
