GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -  The Davenport University men's basketball team concluded its 2022-23 campaign Saturday afternoon, falling to Lake Superior State 82-80 on Senior Day at the DU Student Center.

Luke Bara poured in a career-high 29 points, shooting 6-for-9 from deep while tying a career-high in rebounds grabbing four for the Panthers (7-21, 3-15 GLIAC). Jaden Terrell scored a career-high in points for the second consecutive game, dropping in 17 and adding five rebounds for DU. 

Jordan Sterling chipped in 15 points, three assists, two blocks, and a steal in his last game with Davenport. The guard ended his career with the Panthers averaging 12.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. Sterling shot 44.6 from the floor and 40.4 percent from deep, while leading DU in steals with 42 on the season. 

Holding a six-point lead with just over ten minutes remaining in the first half, Chaz Birchfield stole the ball from the Lakers (13-13, 12-6 GLIAC) near halfcourt. The redshirt junior then pushed it ahead to Sterling who slammed down a dunk in transition to give DU a 22-14 advantage, forcing LSSU head coach Steve Hettinga to take the first timeout of the contest. 

The Lakers went on to score 35 points through the final 10 minutes of the first half, going into the break with a 45-36 lead over the Panthers. 

Davenport established momentum midway through the second half as Birchfield blocked a shot from Lake Superior States' Kemon Bassett and Bara hit a triple in transition to trim the deficit to 54-50. 

20 seconds later Bassett missed a layup for LSSU and Bara once again grabbed the rebound and pulled up from the right wing hitting his second consecutive three, bringing the game within one. 

Jeff Carrier drained a free throw with 9:04 remaining to give the Panthers their first lead of the second half. Davenport was able to stretch its lead to seven with 7:29 remaining, but couldn't hold on down the stretch.