MARQUETTE, Mich. — DU men's basketball (8-3, 2-1 GLIAC) fell to Northern Michigan University 101-65 on Friday afternoon (Jan. 2) at Vandament Arena in the first action of 2026. The Panthers had their five-game win streak snapped, while the Wildcats rolled on to their 11th straight victory (12-1, 3-0 GLIAC). Despite the loss, Davenport capitalized in the paint with a total of 30 points and committed a season-low eight turnovers.
The first half began with the Wildcats establishing an early 16–0 lead. The Panthers got their first bucket at 12:47 on an
Alden Ritt jumper in the paint. The early momentum told the story for the Wildcats. They kept their foot on the gas and led 19-4 at the second media timeout. The Wildcats did a good job on DU's leading scorer
Ken Walker. He scored the second field goal for DU to make it 19-4, but finished with a season-low eight points on 3-of-11 shooting. NMU was unconscious from deep throughout the game including 8-of-13 in the first half. They would finish 13-of-24 in the second half for a total of 21-of-37 for the contest.
Dylan Kuehl was a monster on the court for Northern Michigan with 33 points. He shot 10-of-11 from the floor (5-5 3's) and 8-of-9 at the free throw line. Cal Klesmit went 7-of-10 from the arc for 24 points.
Curtis Jackson led the Panthers for the first time this season with 13 points and also led with five assists and three steals.
Davenport Top Performers
Zavion McClendon
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- 12 points
- 4/4 field goals made
- 3 rebounds
Curtis Jackson
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- 13 points
- 5 assists
- 3 steals
Dylan Smith
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- 10 points
- 5 rebounds
- 3 assists
Game Notes:
- DU shot 60 percent (6-10) from the three-point arc in the second half.
- The Panthers had a season-low eight turnovers.
- NMU hit 21 three-pointers with the previous high against DU this season of 13 versus Claflin.
- Jackson led the team in scoring for the first time this season with 13 points.
- Davenport shot a season-low 50 percent (9-18) at the free throw line.
