Men's rugby improved to 2-0 in Midwest Rugby Conference (MRC) play with a 36-17 win at Davenport on Friday at the Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex in Grand Rapids, Mich. The Lions scored six tries, led 19-3 at halftime, and finished the match with 12 unanswered points after Davenport cut the lead to seven.

How it Happened:

Lindenwood started fast. Demitrius Taape opened the scoring with a quick-tap try, and Baptiste Esperon's conversion made it 7-0. Ivan Ingram scored off a maul to extend the lead to 12-0, Esperon converted again, and Luke White broke the line for a third first-half try, though the conversion was missed, making it 19-0. Davenport got on the board with a penalty kick before the break, and the Lions went into halftime ahead 19-3.

Ingram added his second maul try in the 43rd minute, and the conversion was missed, making it 24-3.

Davenport fought back. The Panthers scored off a charge down in the 52nd minute, and the conversion made it 24-10. A second Davenport try in the 59th minute, with another conversion, cut the deficit to 24-17.

Lindenwood worked its bench into the match from there, and all eight reserves saw action. Lock Harry Makatoa scored in the 74th minute to push the lead back to 12 points, with William Bentley's conversion attempt missed. Dimitri Diakogiannis then intercepted a pass for a try in the 77th minute, and Bentley's conversion set the final margin at 36-17.

Lindenwood scored six tries across five different players, and the Lions outscored Davenport 12-0 over the final stretch of the match.

"First and foremost just want to thank my Lord and savior Jesus Christ! A great team effort win with the boys! We've been putting in the work, staying focused, and trusting the process. Proud of this group and excited to keep grinding together. On to the next!" said outside center Demitrius Taape.

"We saw some flashes from some guys jumping up to this level. We're in a great spot with a lot of season in front of us. We'll be dangerous once we can string together eighty minutes," said Head Coach Josh Macy.

What's Next:

The Lions face Arizona on Saturday, November 7 at Infinity Park in Glendale, Colo. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. CST.

Try Summary:

First half, in scoring order:

• Lindenwood: Demitrius Taape (with conversion)
• Lindenwood: Ivan Ingram (with conversion)
• Lindenwood: Luke White
• Davenport: Penalty kick

Second half, in scoring order:

• Lindenwood: Ivan Ingram
• Davenport: Try and conversion
• Davenport: Try and conversion
• Lindenwood: Harry Makatoa
• Lindenwood: Dimitri Diakogiannis (with conversion)

Lineup & Reserves:

Lineup:

1. Kieran Holland
2. Ivan Ingram
3. Lachie Foster
4. Michael Daly
5. Harry Makatoa
6. Moses Ratnage
7. Riley Richardson-Mould
8. Zack McCartney (C)
9. Nayan Sirwani Villanueva
10. Baptiste Esperon
11. Landon Starnes
12. Cole Scharffenorth
13. Demitrius Taape
14. Dimitri Diakogiannis
15. Luke White

Reserves:

16. Jaydyn Bartels
17. Alden Bordallo
18. Thomas Peach
19. Cooper O'Malley
20. Maximus Orefice
21. Hassan Lin
22. William Bentley
23. Pablo Romero