GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The Davenport men's basketball team (13-14, 7-12 GLIAC) fell to Grand Valley State (21-6, 14-5 GLIAC) 59-54 on Tuesday night at the DU Student Center. Davenport held a narrow 28-27 lead at halftime, but the Lakers outscored them 32-26 in the second half, securing the victory in a tightly contested game. The Panthers tied a season high with eight blocks, but was unable to overcome 19 turnovers. DU led for 15:52 of game time while the Lakers led for 21:38. This game featured three ties and five lead changes.
The first half was very physical with the game officials letting the teams play. Space was very hard to come by and the defensive effort by both teams could be felt. Davenport had the first lead of more than one possession at 9-5 coming at the 14:45 mark of the half after an
Aidan Moon jumper. Grand Valley State scored the next six points to take a 11-9 lead heading into the under-12 media timeout. The Panthers increased their lead to four points on two occasions leading into the under-8 media timeout. DU had their largest lead at 26-19 with 2:58 remaining, but a five-point trip down the court changed things quickly. Antaune Allen made a three-pointer from the top of the key and a foul was called after the basket was good. Allen made it five straight points with a pull-up jumper in the paint to make it 26-24. DU would lead 28-27 heading into halftime and shot 48 percent in the first half.
In the second half, a key stretch really doomed the Panthers. They did not score for nearly five minutes to start the half and trailed 33-28. DU was stuck on 31 points for a long stretch as the Panthers scored three points in the first 9:38 of the second half. The Lakers got a big boost from Ethan Alderink, who made several three-pointers to extend the lead to 44-31 at the 10:22 mark. Down 56-43 with 5:14 remaining, Davenport made one last run.
Alden Ritt hit a tough turnaround jumper and
Curtis Jackson followed with a triple to make it 57-52 with 2:10 to play. Ritt had a missed lay-in attempt with 1:28 left which would have made it a one-possession game.
Dylan Smith also missed a pair of critical free throws with 1:03 to go which could have cut into the deficit. Jalen Charity had a fast-break dunk with 15 seconds left to seal it as the Lakers prevailed 59-54. The Panthers shot 45.8 percent in the second half, but managed just 2-of-7 at the free throw line.
Jackson led Davenport with 20 points, converting 7-of-11 field goals and added eight rebounds and six assists. Smith recorded 12 rebounds and blocked four shots to go with eight points.
Keane Hinkle contributed defensively with two steals and added seven points.
Aidan Moon posted three blocks and scored seven points.
Looking ahead, Davenport will host Ferris State for Senior Day on Saturday, Feb. 28 at 3 p.m. in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Zavion McClendon and
Myron Brewer will be playing in their final home game.
Game Notes:
- Jackson had his third 20-point game of the season.
- Davenport was without the services of leading scorer
Ken Walker, who missed his first game of the season.
- Smith had his sixth double-digit rebounding game of the season.
- Smith had a career-high four blocked shots.
- GVSU held a 16-4 edge in second-chance points and grabbed 15 offensive rebounds.
