GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Davenport men's basketball (6-2, 2-0 GLIAC) secured a 99-94 overtime victory over Lake Superior State (3-5, 0-2 GLIAC) on Saturday at the DU Student Center. Davenport and LSSU played a physical contest with the team's combining for 67 free throws and 51 fouls. DU converted 30-of-42 free throw attempts, contributing significantly to their win. The Panthers' 30 made free throws is the third-most in school history and the 42 attempts ranks second.
Curtis Jackson himself went 13-of-17 from the stripe to score a career-high 19 points. The 13 made free throws is tied for fifth-most at DU and the 17 attempts is tied for second with three other players. The game was back-and-forth with 12 lead changes and 11 ties.
The point totals were very similar as DU scored 42 in the first half and trailed by one at halftime. The Panthers then scored 43 in the second half to force overtime. It was the third time in just eight games this season to go into overtime and Davenport was won both of those instances at home. The Lakers actually led for 31:05 of game action, but Davenport led when it mattered the most at the conclusion.
Moving into the second half, the game was a six-point lead at LSSU at the first media timeout at 55-49. Lake Superior State advanced their lead to 69-59 with 10:06 left in regulation. Trailing 76-66 with 6:05 left, the Panthers began their climb back. Jackson converted a layup on the fast-break to make it 78-73 at the final media timeout. DU did not have the lead at any point and
Ken Walker's bucket with 19 seconds left pushed it into overtime. The Lakers did have the last shot, but missed on a three-point attempt with one second left.
Walker made sure his team would not trail in overtime by making consecutive triples for a 91-85 lead. The Lakers got within 91-89 with 2:15 remaining, but Davenport scored the next three points as
Imran Deen had a basket in the paint and Jackson split at the free throw line.
Aidan Moon had the finishing layup with 48 seconds left for a 96-91 lead.
Walker had his third 30-point game of the season as he went 10-of-18 from the floor.
Marshaun Flakes contributed with 11 points and four assists.
Dylan Smith, returning after missing the last two games, added eight points in his 19-plus minutes on the court, contributing to the team's depth.
Alden Ritt continued his rise to stardom with his sixth straight double-double of 12 points and 14 rebounds. Ritt also played 39:21 out of 45 minutes. Davenport shot a season-high 56.6 percent from the floor, including 9-of-20 from behind the arc.
The squad will get a break next week for exams and will look to further their early-season success next on Monday, Dec. 15 at home against Grace Christian at 7:00 PM.
Davenport Top Performers
Ken Walker
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- 30 points
- 10/18 field goals made
- 4/9 three-pointers made
- 6/9 free throws made
Curtis Jackson
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- 19 points
- 13/17 free throws made
- 7 rebounds
- 2 steals
Alden Ritt
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- 12 points
- 5/9 field goals made
- 14 rebounds
Imran Deen
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- 6 points
- 2 blocks
- 2 steals
