CHICAGO, Ill. — It was a complete team win for Davenport (10-7, 4-5 GLIAC) on Thursday night as they secured a decisive 78-60 victory over Roosevelt University (2-14, 1-8 GLIAC) at the Goodman Center. It was the first victory over the Lakers for Davenport after dropping two games last year in RU's first season of NCAA Division II action. The Panthers led the contest for 36:35 and held the Lakers off for most of the game.
The game began with Roosevelt's Kaleim Taylor hitting a 3-pointer at 19:29 to give the home team an early lead. Davenport responded quickly with
Ken Walker's 3-pointer at 17:28, tying the score at 3-3. Roosevelt would not regain the lead for the rest of the game.
Dylan Smith contributed significantly for Davenport, scoring a layup and a jumper in quick succession, pushing their lead to 7-3 by 15:58. Walker was instrumental throughout the half, adding another 3-pointer at 12:47 and a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to close the half, giving Davenport a 37-22 advantage at the break. Walker scored 17 points in the first half.
Davenport secured a decisive 78-60 victory over the Lakers in the second half, capitalizing on strong performances from multiple players. Walker was pivotal, contributing a series of free throws at the 11:25 mark to extend the lead to 52-33. The visiting team also displayed defensive intensity with
Aidan Moon recording a block and a steal, while
Marshaun Flakes added to the effort with a key block early in the half.
Curtis Jackson highlighted Davenport's offensive dominance with a late layup off an assist from
Bernie Varnesdeel, maintaining a comfortable lead as the clock wound down.
Walker led Davenport with 26 points, converting 8-of-13 field goals, including four 3-pointers, and scored in the 20-29 point range for the fourth time this season. Jackson posted a career high with 10 rebounds and added six points, while also tying a season high with three steals and five assists. Moon contributed significantly on defense with two blocks and three steals, both tying his season highs. Smith scored 12 points, making 5-of-8 field goal attempts, and collected three rebounds. Varnesdeel played a season-high 14 minutes and also had a season-high five rebounds and a blocked shot.
Keane Hinkle was the team's unsung hero with a career-high 12 points and a career-high four rebounds in 24 minutes. Mikey West led the Lakers with 23 points and was 13-of-13 at the foul line.
Game Notes:
- Walker made 6-of-6 at the line and is now 26-of-27 on the road this season.
- DU had their third-best free throw percentage (78.3) this season.
- It was the first time in the last six games that DU shot over 50 percent (27-of-50, 54.0).
- The Davenport bench outscored the RU bench, 24-3.
- DU had a 36-14 advantage in points in the paint.
- Tonight was the seventh time this season that DU's defense held an opponent under 40 percent from the floor.
