Lindenwood Rugby used a strong defensive effort in finishing its fall campaign with a 48-8 win over Mid-South Conference foe Davenport Saturday afternoon on the road at Farmers Insurance Field in Grand Rapids, Michigan. 

The Lions dictated play in the first 10 minutes with flyhalf Andreas Livadaras moving the forwards around like chess pieces to drive into Panthers territory.  Scrumhalf Evan Williams slotted a kick after a Davenport penalty and Lindenwood led 3-0.  Two minutes later, Livadaras put center Tyren Al-Jiboori into space and the young center finished the move with a try. With the Williams conversion, the Lions extended the advantage to 10-0. 

Davenport found some holes in the Lindenwood defense to create some timely turnovers, but captain Marnus Spangenberg helped the forwards dominate the set pieces and keep the Panthers from creating any points.  The attack again took center stage at the end of the first half with a late try from wing Morgan Purcell and two from fullback Connor Burns.

The Panthers found some momentum early in the second half and converted it into a try and a successful penalty kick, but the Lions reasserted themselves reserve props Gabriel Kettering and Samuel Buckley dominated the Davenport scrum and earned multiple penalties.

Hooker Stephen McLeish finished a nice maul from a lineout and touched down a hard-earned score and then Williams followed with a snipe from the base of a ruck and dotted down a try of his own.

Reserves Cody Erhardt and Dylan Ramirez entered the match in relief and made sure the Panthers could not find any room to operate.  In the final minutes of the game, second row William Whiteside squeezed in for the last try for Lindenwood.  Williams converted to finish 6/8 from the tee.

The Lions improved to 12-1 overall and 2-0 in conference play.  With the fall schedule completed, they will return to action February 1 on the road against Oklahoma.