The Rockhurst men's basketball team hits the road for the first time this season as the Hawks travel to Indiana for a pair of nonconference matchups against Davenport University and Purdue University Northwest. Rockhurst will face Davenport in a neutral-site contest on Friday (Nov. 13) before taking on Purdue Northwest on Saturday (Nov. 14) at John Friend Court in Hammond, Indiana.
The Hawks enter the weekend with a 1-0 record after opening the 2026-27 campaign with a 67-57 victory over Park University on Monday (Nov. 9) at Mason-Halpin Field House. The win marked the first career victory at Rockhurst for first-year head coach Todd Lorensen, who looks to build on the team's strong start with two challenging regional matchups.
Rockhurst was led by Javeyn Martin in its season-opening victory, as he finished with a team-high 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting while adding five rebounds and four steals. Sawyer Smith followed with 13 points and a team-high 10 rebounds to record a double-double, connecting on three shots from beyond the arc.
Kernan Bundy also reached double figures with 11 points, seven rebounds and three assists, while Callen Eskew provided a strong presence inside with eight points and 10 rebounds in just 17 minutes of action. Gio Mack contributed a team-high six assists off the bench.
The Hawks held Park to just 32.8 percent shooting from the field and 29.4 percent from three-point range. Rockhurst controlled the glass with a 52-37 rebounding advantage, including 19 offensive rebounds that helped produce 18 second-chance points. The Hawks also connected on nine three-pointers and recorded 17 assists on 26 made field goals.
Rockhurst carried a 34-27 advantage into halftime before extending its lead to as many as 16 points in the second half. The Hawks maintained control down the stretch to secure the 10-point victory and begin the Lorensen era on a winning note.
Friday's opponent, Davenport, also enters the weekend following a season-opening victory. The Panthers defeated Kuyper College 86-54 on Monday (Nov. 9) at the Davenport Student Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The 32-point victory gave Davenport an impressive start to its 2026-27 campaign as the Panthers prepare for their first matchup of the weekend against Rockhurst.
Saturday's contest will feature another team coming off a season-opening win, as Purdue Northwest defeated fellow Great Lakes Valley Conference member Lewis University 73-65 on Monday (Nov. 9) at John Friend Court.
The Pride's eight-point victory over Lewis provides an early measuring stick for Rockhurst, which will face the Flyers later in the season during GLVC competition. Purdue Northwest will also have the advantage of playing on its home floor as the Hawks conclude their first road trip of the season.
Following the two-game trip to Indiana, Rockhurst will return to Mason-Halpin Field House on Wednesday (Nov. 18) to host nationall ranked Washburn University at 7 p.m.
