GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Davenport University women's basketball team was defeated by No. 6 Grand Valley State University, 68-46, Saturday afternoon at the DU Student Center. After struggling offensively early in the contest, the Panthers (7-15, 1-11 GLIAC) were able to outscore the Lakers (20-2, 11-1 GLIAC) 38-35 in the second half. 

It was a slow start for both teams as the Lakers held a 7-0 lead with three minutes remaining in the first quarter. GVSU grew the advantage to 11-0 before Makenna Bryant ended the scoring drought for the Panthers with two free throws with 1:20 remaining in the first quarter. 

The Lakers responded with a 20-0 run, which spanned until the 2:19 mark in the second quarter, setting the score at 31-2. Alexa Kolnitys and Mary Liedel each hit a shot from beyond the arc down the stretch of the first half for DU to cut the GVSU lead to 33-8 heading into the half.

Davenport picked things up offensively, outscoring Grand Valley State 11-10 through the first 5:32 of the second half. A quick 7-0 Panther run at the end of the final quarter cut the Laker advantage to 19. However, the GVSU lead proved to be too much, maintaining its double-digit advantage for the remainder of the contest.  

Lillee Gustafson led all scorers with 14 points and grabbed nine rebounds while shooting 8-of-10 from the charity stripe for DU. Scout Nelson poured in eight points and grabbed three rebounds, while Kolnitys added seven points, two steals, and a game-high five assists. 

As a team, the Panthers forced the Lakers into 19 turnovers, while recording 11 steals, and 17 points off turnovers.

Ellie Droste led GVSU with 13 points, shooting a perfect 4-of-4 from the field. Hannah Kulas and Paige Vanstee provided a spark off the bench, each scoring 10 points. Emily Spitzley chipped in with nine points, three rebounds, and three assists in the victory. 

Looking ahead, the Panthers will host Northern Michigan on Thursday, Feb. 9 at 5:30 p.m. at the DU Student Center in Grand Rapids, Mich.