GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Panthers faced a tough challenge in their opening round game of the GLIAC Tournament, playing the Timberwolves of Northwood. The Timberwolves took Davenport down to the wire in their final regular-season matchup back on February 14. Tonight played out very similar, with the final two minutes of action being a one-possession lead for either team. Even though Davenport had no prior GLIAC Tournament experience coming into the game, the team held onto a lead late for the win. The Panthers advance to the GLIAC Semifinals and earned their first-ever GLIAC Tournament victory.
 
THE BASICS
Final Score: Davenport-85 | Northwood-84
Location: Grand Rapids, Mich.


 
POINTS PER HALF
First Half: DU-43 | NU-39
Second Half: DU-42 | NU-45
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The first half was a closer game than what the seeding may have predicted. Even though Northwood came into the game as the eight seed and Davenport the one seed, the score remained tied after the opening 13 minutes of play. After getting down three, 25-22, Davenport went on an 11-point run, taking an eight-point lead with 4:33 to play in the half. The run included a three by Tafari Beckford, Chris Rollins, and Avery Hudson. The Timberwolves cut the lead down to one point and two points down the stretch, but a pair of free throws by Dyllon Hudson-Emory with 40 seconds remaining gave DU a four-point lead heading into halftime.
 
The second half was nearly identical, in terms of runs and the lead changes, to the first half. Northwood held a 71-68 lead with 5:54 to play in the game, and then Davenport scored seven consecutive points to take a four-point lead. The Timberwolves snuck in a layup to stop the DU run, but Hudson-Emory responded with back-to-back baskets to put Davenport up six with 3:02 on the clock. Northwood went on a run that gave Panther fans a slight scare. After Davenport went up six, the Timberwolves called a timeout and proceeded to seven unanswered out of the timeout to take an 80-79 lead. Davenport found a response in the form of free throws from Rollins. He drilled a pair of free throws with 56 seconds in the game, and then hit another two with 36 seconds to play to give Davenport a three-point lead. Northwood made a layup on their next possession to cut the lead down to one with 21 seconds remaining. The Panthers subbed in Robbie Bramhill and he was fouled with 13 seconds on the clock. Bramhill drilled both free throws to give Davenport a three-point lead. The Timberwolves came down and quickly got into the paint, with Alec Marty scoring to cut the lead back down to one with seven seconds on the clock. Rollins stepped to the line for a pair of free throws and missed both. Northwood grabbed the rebound and tried to pass the ball up the floor, but Rollins was quick on his feet and stole the pass to seal the deal. Rollins dribbled out the remaining seconds of the game.

STAT LEADERS
Points: Hudson-Emory (29)
Rebounds: Rollins (6)
Assists: Rollins (5)
Steals: Rollins (3)
Blocks: Hudson-Emory/Beckford (2)


 
INTERESTING FACTS
-The 13-game win streak is the longest of the season.
-Davenport earned their first-ever GLIAC Tournament win.
-This is the 13^th game that Hudson-Emory has scored 20+ points.
 
UP NEXT
Davenport will face Northern Michigan in the GLIAC Semifinals. The game is scheduled for a 3:00 pm tip-off on Saturday, March 9 in the DU Student Center. The Wildcats are coming off a double-digit win at Ferris State tonight in their GLIAC Quarterfinals game.
 
Story by: Devin Steiner
 
Picture credit: Walter Cronk