DEMOREST, Ga. - Piedmont rallied to down LaGrange 72-68 on Friday at the Johnny Mize Athletic Center. The game was the first GSAC game of the season for both teams.
The Panthers (2-13, 0-1 GSAC) led by 11 at halftime and by seven with four minutes left in the game. The Lions (7-9, 1-0 GSAC) overcame both deficits with 63.6 percent shooting in the second half.
Marcus Vaughn had a game-high 19 points for the Panthers and a team-high eight rebounds. Nic Whitfield was a perfect 7-for-7 from the floor and finished with 16 points. Britt Gaylor also had 16 points with 5-of-9 3-point shooting. Denzel Robinson added 10 points.
Will Skaggs led a balanced scoring attack for Piedmont with 15 points. Tracey Gardner had 13 points, Josh Haymore 12 and Kevin Kubandi 11.
Piedmont was 18-for-22 at the free throw line. The Lions made 11 of their last 12 free throws. The Panthers were only 7-of-16 at the line.
The Panthers led the from the opening tip-off in the first half. Gaylor's 3-pointer gave the Panthers a quick 16-7 lead after five minutes.
The Panthers opened up an 11-point lead, 26-15, after a jumper by Stephen Tuck. Vaughn's layup with 11 seconds left put the Panthers up 39-28 at halftime.
The Panthers continued to hold the lead in the second half. The Lions took their first lead of the game, 58-57, after Gardner completed a three-point play with 6:13 remaining.
The Panthers ran off eight straight points to go up 65-58 with 4:10 left. The Lions answered with an 8-0 run of their own to go up 66-65.
Vaughn scored off an assist from Gaylor to put the Panthers ahead for the last time, 67-66 with 2:37 remaining. Haymore put the Lions up for good, 69-67, with a 3-pointer with 1:49 to go.
The Panthers missed shots on two of their last three possessions. Gaylor made 1-of-2 free throws to get the Panthers within one, 69-68. Free throws by Skaggs and Haymore iced the game for the Lions.
The Panthers host Methodist on Saturday at 2 p.m. in a non-conference game.
