GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Panthers hosted Grand Valley State for the first time in program history and sunk the Lakers. Davenport played stellar defense throughout the game, more specifically in the first half. After 20 minutes of play Davenport had a 32-15 lead and held the Lakers to only seven made field goals. The Panthers earned their second straight conference win and Grand Valley State falls to 0-2 in conference play.
 
THE BASICS
Final Score: Davenport-66 | Grand Valley State-55
Location: Grand Rapids, Mich.
Records: Davenport 7-2 (2-0) | Grand Valley State 3-5 (0-2)
 
POINTS PER HALF
First Half: DU-32 | GVSU-15
Second Half: DU-34 | GVSU-40


 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Davenport opened the game on an eight-point run over a period of five minutes and 39 seconds. The Panthers played stifling defense throughout the first half and held GVSU to under 10 points for more than 15 minutes. Following a three pointer by Nick Malonga, DU took a 19-point lead with 4:56 left in the first half.  A couple free throws by Robbie Bramhill gave Davenport their largest lead of the game (21) with 2:07 to go in the half. A couple late field goals by the Lakers cut the lead to 17-points heading into halftime.
 
Grand Valley came out aggressive in the second half, consistently chipping away at the DU lead. The Panthers lead was cut down to six points after a bucket in the paint by the Lakers with 9:45 remaining in the game. The Lakers cut the lead down to four points with only 5:04 left in the game. Bramhill ended the Panthers four minute and 16 second scoring draught with an important bucket with 3:18 left in the game. He was fouled in the act of shooting and knocked the free throw in, bringing the DU lead back up to seven points. With under five minutes to play Davenport shot 14/15 from the charity stripe, successfully holding onto their lead.
 
Smith led DU in points with 17 on an efficient 6/10 from the field. Bramhill was one rebound away from a double double, scoring 11 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Both Zack Nieuwkoop and Orlando Little snagged four rebounds apiece. Davenport shot 86% from the FT line, hitting 24 of 28.
 
COACHES CORNER
"I was impressed with our teams focus and preparation for this game, especially the first 20 minutes of play," stated head coach Burt Paddock. "Our players knew it would take a terrific effort and were really focused at shoot around and it lasted throughout the first half. To hold Grand Valley to 15 first half points is a heck of an effort!"
 
"We had so many great contributions in this game, even when we were not making shots. Several kids came up with key rebounds and or defensive stops in order to keep a two possession lead the entire second half."
 
"I'm pleasantly surprised that we are playing so many young kids, starting four freshman, and yet we are so focused and relentless on the defensive end of the basketball. We have held the last three NCAA Division II opponents to 58, 58, and 55 points. As I tell our kids, defense can't happen overnight. It is simply a choice we have to make and so far, the kids have bought in and done a nice job. The challenge now is doing it over a long stretch against bigger and stronger teams each game."
 
UP NEXT
The Panthers are on the road next week for two more conference games. Davenport plays at Tiffin University on Thursday and Ashland University on Saturday.

Story by: Devin Steiner
 
Picture credit: Tyler Triemstra