Davenport University Athletics

DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY PANTHERS

Walter Cronk

Men's Basketball 11/8/2024 4:59:00 PM Justice Steiner, Manager of Athletic Communications

Late Comeback Falls Short as Panthers Drop Season Opener

Box Score GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Davenport University men's basketball team had its season opener on Saturday afternoon (Nov. 8) taking on Rockhurst at the DU Student Center as a part of the annual GLIAC/GLVC crossover.

Despite trailing by 21 points with 8:40 remaining in the contest, the young Panther team began to find their rhythm late. The Panthers put together a 10-0 run, which spanned 5:03 and featured eight consecutive points by freshman Dylan Smith.

The Hawks put an end to their scoring drought with a three-pointer, before Jonas VanderWoude answered on the ensuing possession with a layup, cutting the RU lead to 12 (60-48).

Jaden Terrell drained a three-pointer with 1:24 remaining to cut the deficit to single digits (54-62), but the comeback effort was too late, as the Hawks walked away with the ten-point victory.

Freshman Matyas Vrabel scored the first three points of the season for the Panthers, one free throw and a layup, as DU trailed 6-3 to start the contest. After falling behind by nine (15-6), Terrell nailed a three to cut the Davenport deficit to six (15-9) with 11:06 remaining in the first half.

After a layup by Montrel Oliver Jr. for the Panthers on their final possession of the first half trimmed the Hawks' lead to 13 (37-24), Micah Deaver made a last-second three that beat the buzzer to expand the RU lead back to 16 (40-24) heading into the break.

Leading the way for the Panthers was freshman Dylan Smith, scoring a game-high 16 points and grabbing 10 boards, securing the double-double in his first collegiate game. Vrable added 10 points and two rebounds, while Terrell chipped in with nine points, six rebounds, an assist and a steal.

Up Next
The Panthers will return to action tomorrow for day two of the GLIAC/GLVC Crossover, taking on William Jewell at 2:30 p.m. at the DU Student Center in Grand Rapids, Mich.

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Players Mentioned

#3 Jaden Terrell: Wing; 6' 7"; Redshirt Junior

#10 Montrel Oliver Jr.: G; 6' 5"; Freshman

#13 Dylan Smith: F; 6' 8"; Freshman

#14 Jonas VanderWoude: G; 6' 4"; Freshman

#15 Matyas Vrabel: F; 6' 9"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#3 Jaden Terrell
: 6' 7"; Redshirt Junior
: Wing

#10 Montrel Oliver Jr.
: 6' 5"; Freshman
: G

#13 Dylan Smith
: 6' 8"; Freshman
: F

#14 Jonas VanderWoude
: 6' 4"; Freshman
: G

#15 Matyas Vrabel
: 6' 9"; Freshman
: F