GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A halftime lead and a fourth-quarter advantage ultimately slipped away for Davenport as Wayne State closed the game with a late surge to claim a 68–59 GLIAC victory at the DU Student Center. Anna Axtell led the Panthers with a career-high 20 points — surpassing the previous mark she set just days earlier with 17 points — but the Warriors interior scoring proved decisive down the stretch, finishing with 44 points in the paint.

Davenport set the tone early with an energetic defensive effort, recording three blocks in the opening quarter, including an early rejection by Kayla Covington. After an 8–0 start by the Warriors, the Panthers regrouped following a timeout at 6:51 and answered with a 10–2 run. Taaria Pehi-Kupa ignited the response with a fast-break layup, while Anna Axtell knocked down a late 3-pointer. Two free throws from Maddie Geers in the closing seconds allowed DU to finish the first quarter even at 15.

The Panthers built on that momentum in the second quarter, creating separation midway through the period. Pehi-Kupa converted back-to-back layups to give Davenport a 24–18 lead, and Nevaeh Williams followed with a 3-pointer and a jumper. Davenport's defense continued to apply pressure, forcing eight turnovers — five coming via steals — as DU outscored WSU 19–12 in the quarter to take a 34–27 lead into halftime.

Wayne State responded in the third quarter, chipping away at the deficit in a tightly contested stretch. Williams connected on a timely 3-pointer to push the Panthers ahead 39–36, and after the Warriors briefly pulled even, Axtell delivered another key response from beyond the arc. Davenport remained composed down the stretch of the quarter, carrying a 48–44 advantage into the final 10 minutes.

Williams opened the fourth quarter with a 3-pointer, assisted by Tangee Gagau, to extend the Panthers' lead to 51–46. Wayne State then shifted momentum with a decisive run, stringing together consecutive baskets in the paint to take a 59–54 lead midway through the quarter. Axtell tied the game with a 3-pointer at the 7:07 mark, but the Warriors quickly answered and pulled away in the closing minutes. A late 3-pointer by Williams at the buzzer capped the scoring as Wayne State secured the 68–59 win.

Davenport Top Performers
Anna Axtell

• 20 points
• 4-for-4 from the free-throw line
• Four 3-pointers

Nevaeh Williams

• 13 points
• Three 3-pointers
• Four rebounds

Maya Mitchell

• Two steals
• Three rebounds

Tangee Gagau

• Three points
• Two steals
• Three assists

Looking ahead, Davenport will travel to the other side of the 616 Thursday, Jan. 15th to play #1 Grand Valley St. at 5:30 p.m. before traveling up to Big Rapids to face the Bulldogs of Ferris State on Saturday Jan. 17th.