GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Panthers won their conference home opener against Aquinas College 76-65 on this cold Saturday afternoon and improved to 4-2 on the year. Davenport bounced back from their two game skid and won their first conference game of the season. Aquinas made it a game down the stretch, but Davenport made their free throws to clinch the victory.
 
The Panthers jumped out to a big 16-4 lead to start off the game and six different davenport players scored during the stretch. Davenport led by six or more points for the last 15 minutes of the half. The teams traded some buckets every couple possessions, but Davenport was able to hold onto that lead they created early. Senior Kevin Rich led the scoring charge for DU with ten points and three rebounds at the half. Junior Javon Haines also had a solid half with nine points and four rebounds.
 
The Second half added some drama to the game when Aquinas took the lead with 4:27 remaining in the game. Davenport opened up the second half with the same focus that they had in the first half, increasing their lead to 13 points after a jumper by Nick Gamble with 15:57 remaining in the game. The Saints made a run late in the game to take the lead and make things interesting. With 9:21 left in the second half Davenport had a ten point lead, over the next four minutes and 54 seconds the Saints made a 13-2 run to take the lead with 4:27 remaining in the game. The Panthers made 12 straight free throws in the last four minutes of play to eliminate any chance of the Saints making a legitimate come back.
 
Rich was DU's player of the game as he recorded a double double tonight with 25 points and 11 rebounds, he also shot 10/19 from the floor. Wes Webbert and Haines each contributed a good amount as well. Webbert had 13 points on 3/5 shooting from deep and added seven rebounds. Haines had 16 points on 6/12 from the field and snagged six rebounds.
 
Davenport improved to 4-2 overall and 1-1 in conference play after the win. The Panthers prepare for a busy nine days of basketball coming up, they play five games in nine days. The team plays Marygrove College, Great Lakes Christian College, Dordt College, Indiana University East and Siena Heights all in a nine-day span.