GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Panthers hosted Calvin College for their home-opener and were tested by the Knights. Davenport trailed late in the game, but find a way to win the game and continue their undefeated start to the season. Senior Dyllon Hudson-Emory did a mix of everything for the Panthers. He recorded a double double with 24 points and 11 rebounds, while adding four steals. Down the stretch Davenport looked Delano Smith's way and he delivered, scoring the game-winning bucket as time ran out to give the Panthers a dramatic win.

THE BASICS
Final Score: Davenport-68 | Calvin-66
Location: Grand Rapids, Mich.
 
POINTS PER HALF
First Half: DU-25 | CC-33
Second Half: DU-43 | CC-33
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Over the opening three and a half minutes of play Calvin quieted the Panthers home crowd, going on a 9-2 run to build a seven-point lead. Davenport picked up their defensive intensity and went on a 9-0 to take the lead 10-9. During the stretch Avery Hudson had a pair of steals and assists. The Knights heated up quickly in the half, going on a 17-0 run from 11:33-5:27. The Panthers called a timeout and outscored Calvin during the last five minutes of the half. Davenport went on a 11-5 to cut the Knights lead to eight points. Hudson-Emory scored seven of DU's points during the run, including a three with time winding down.
 
Davenport played a lot better on offense in the second half, opening the half on a 14-4 run over two minutes and 48 seconds. Junior Robbie Bramhill hit a couple threes during the stretch and Hudson-Emory added six points of his own. The lead bounced back and forth between the teams throughout the half. The Panthers led by six points with 5:03 left in regulation after back to back buckets by Hudson. Calvin responded with six-point run of their own to tie the game with only 3:30 left in the game. Davenport found themselves down 66-62 after the Knights hit a layup with 1:02 remaining. The Panthers cut the lead down to two when Chris Rollinsknocked in two free throws. Following the second free throw, Hudson stole the inbounds pass and Rollins ended up hitting a layup with 40 seconds left to tie the game 66-66. Freshman Chaz Birchfield had a big time play on the defensive end, drawing a charge to give Davenport the ball with 21 seconds left in the game. The Panthers put the ball in Delano Smith's hands and he delivered. The sophomore, who is coming off of winning the GLIAC South Player of The Week award, drove to the right, lost the ball, picked it up back up and put up a floater from just outside the paint. The ball went through the net just as the buzzer sounded and the Panthers successfully defended their home court.
 
STAT LEADERS
Points: Hudson-Emory (24)
Rebounds: Hudson-Emory (11)
Assists: Janeau Joubert/Hudson (3)
Steals: Hudson-Emory (4)
Blocks: N/A


 
UP NEXT
Davenport gets a full week before their next game. The Panthers will host Great Lakes Christian College next Monday, November 19 at 7:00 p.m.
 
Story by: Devin Steiner
 
Picture credit: Hannah Paddock