LIMA, Ohio – Junior Shaina Johnson scored a career-high 23 points, including five from 3-point range, to help the No. 2 Davenport women's basketball team escape host Northwestern Ohio with a 69-53 Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference win Saturday afternoon.
 
With a win over the Racers and second-place Madonna's loss at Cornerstone in Grand Rapids, Davenport (24-0, 18-0) has built a four-game lead in the WHAC standings with as many games remaining, thereby clinching at least a share of its unprecedented ninth-straight conference championship. The Panthers can claim the title outright with a win on three chances starting Wednesday at Indiana Tech at 5:30 p.m.
 
Johnson had already set her personal best before intermission by tallying 15 points, breaking her previous personal best 14 set against Holy Cross (Ind.) last season.
 
Johnson, along with rest of Davenport's bench, played a key role to the victory as the starters only scored five points. Alex Law also had a five 3-point basket performance for a season-high 17 points and Tiesha Stokes contributed to 13 points and seven rebounds.
 
The Panthers combined for 43.6 percent from the field and 10-for-26 from beyond the arc.
 
Davenport had a bit of a struggle taking on a defensively Racers (12-14, 10-8 WHAC) team, conceding a season-worst 24 turnovers. The Panthers did return the favor by causing 26 Racer turnovers and 16 steals. Momo Neal collected five takeaways to lead DU.
 
While the Racers shot 34.5 percent, Natalie Billing was the only Racer in double figures, scoring 16 points. Veteran Madison Coldren was held to seven points but did get nine rebounds to lead both teams.
 
Davenport edged Northwestern Ohio on the boards 40-36.
 
The Panthers trailed by as many as six in the first half. A late momentum led by Johnson allowed the Panthers to take a 38-33 into halftime.
 
Post-Game Notes
Daina Grazulis saw her streak of consecutive games with double digit in points snap at 15 after only scoring two…Davenport improves to 11-0 in the all-time series with Northwestern Ohio
 
Women's Basketball Contact: Rick Hoskin | 616-871-6180 | rhoskin@davenport.edu
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