Feb. 17, 2008

Caledonia, Mich. - Davenport and Cornerstone have started to develop a great rivalry on the women's basketball side and the two teams lived up to the hype again today as #20 Cornerstone escaped with a 69-68 upset of #7 Davenport. The loss is the first in conference play for the Panthers as they fall to 24-4 overall and 11-1 in the WHAC.

The Golden Eagles entered today's contest looking to pull the upset and take the home crowd out of the game early and that they did as they jumped out to an early 9-2 lead. Davenport showed why they have won their last 12 games as they came right back with a 7-3 run highlighted by a three-pointer from Kristin Bergsma. The game would then turn into a see-saw battle as both teams struggled from the field but the Golden Eagles were able to get points on the inside to take a 5-point lead (22-17) at the 7:34 mark. The Panthers then used a 6-2 run to tie the game at 23 and forced the visitors into a timeout. CU responded well out of the timeout and increased the lead to as many as seven before DU closed to within four (36-32) at the break.

Jeanette Woodberry was held in check in the first half thanks to foul trouble but the senior All-American came back strong in the second half to try and help her team continue its winning streak. Cornerstone got hot to open the second half and increased the lead to 10, which was the largest of the game for either team as they led 41-31 with 13:40 remaining. Davenport was forced to call a timeout and came back with a 12-4 run to get within two. Each team knew every possession was crucial but the Golden Eagles would take a one point lead with only 45 seconds remaining. CU had the ball and the Panthers defense forced a great turnover in which Kallie Benike was fouled and went to the line shooting a one, plus the bonus.

Unfortunately, the freshman was unable to hit the foul shot and Cornerstone took over. After a few scrappy plays, DU was forced to foul and sent Kara Overbeek to the line with only 15 seconds remaining. Overbeek also missed the front end and Davenport came away with the rebound to set up the last possession. Benike again got free and had an open look from 8 feet but the shot would not go down and the ball went loose as time expired.

Woodberry led the offense with 22 points and was followed in double-digits by Kallie Benike (15), Kristi Boehm (12) and Kristin Bergsma (10). Davenport was ice cold from the field as they shot only 36% from the floor compared to 54% by the Golden Eagles.