SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – The new decade began on the road for the Panthers and unfortunately, resulted in a loss. Davenport faced Lake Superior State and fell to the Lakers by a score of 57-63. This puts DU at a 5-7 record for the year and leaves the team searching for their first conference win of the season. Toni Grace and Madison Jones each scored 18 to lead Davenport in scoring.
 
THE BASICS
Final Score: Davenport-57 | Lake Superior State-63
Location: Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.
 
POINTS PER HALF
First Quarter: DU-12 | LSSU-12
Second Quarter: DU-14 | LSSU-20
Third Quarter: DU-17 | LSSU-22
Fourth Quarter: DU-14 | LSSU-9
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Despite being off for nearly two weeks, the Panthers had a great start to the game. Following buckets by Jones and Jenna Falkenberg, DU held a 12-5 lead over the Lakers. Lake Superior State ended the quarter scoring seven unanswered points and the game was tied 12-12.
 
The lead went back and forth between the teams to open the second, with the score being deadlocked at 23-23 with 3:21 to go in the half. The Lakers ended the half on a 9-3 run and Davenport trailed by six points at the break.
 
Lake Superior State grew their lead to nine early in the third, but Davenport wasn't ready to cave. The Panthers started making shots and cut the lead down to two points with 4:33 left in the quarter. However, the Lakers again ended the quarter on a run, this time outscoring DU 17-8.
 
Davenport had a tough task in the final quarter of play, needing to erase a double digit LSSU lead. The Panthers outscored the Lakers 14-9 in the quarter, but there wasn't enough time on the clock for DU to complete the comeback. The final score was 63-57 in favor of Lake Superior State.

STAT LEADERS
Points: Grace/Jones (18)
Rebounds: Falkenberg (10)
Assists: Scout Nelson (3)
Steals: Elise Scaggs/Grace (2)
Blocks: Falkenberg (1)

UP NEXT
Davenport has little time to reflect on this game as they travel back home from up north and host Ferris State on Saturday. The game will begin at 1:00 p.m. inside the DU Student Center.
 
Story by: Devin Steiner
 
Picture credit: Walter Cronk