LaGrange lost 80-74 to visiting N.C. Wesleyan in a USA South game Sunday in Mariotti Gym. Julian Cameron's game-high 30 points was not enough to keep the Panthers (3-12, 2-6 USA South) from their fourth straight loss.
Coach Kendal Wallace
"Julian took a lot on his shoulders for our loss yesterday, just because of his poor performance. He wanted to get back in the groove and help this team win. (Drew) Shepherd has come on the last couple of days and we're very happy about that. We just have to continue working hard. We're doing a much better job of sharing the basketball. We had 15 assists and that's a great job by us of continuing to move the ball and continue to work together. We're still a work in progress. I'm not counting this team out, I love coaching them, they come to practice everyday with a good attitude and are energetic."
First Half
The Bishops (8-9, 4-5 USA South) led 10-2 five minutes into the game. Trailing 28-18 with 7:30 left in the half, the Panthers chipped away at the deficit. A trey by Cameron followed by Henry's Blair's steal and layup cut the deficit in half. Porter Law made a steal, then passed to Arthur Jones, whose 3-pointer made it a 1-point game, 34-33. Cameron's driving basket got LC within a point again, 38-37, before the Bishops took a 40-37 halftime lead. Cameron had 16 points at the break. The Panthers forced nine turnovers, leading to 15 points.
Second Half
The Panthers used 3-point shooting to take their first lead of the game. LC scored 15 of their first 20 second half points on 3's, with Shepherd and Cameron having two each. Cameron's second trey put the Panthers up 57-56 with 11 minutes remaining. LC tied their season high with 11 3's in the game. The lead swapped hands seven times over the next four minutes. Cameron hit a jumper in the lane, then another 3-pointer for a 64-62 lead with under nine minutes remaining. A.J. Frye, who had a team-high 20 points, broke a 64-64 tie to give the Bishops the lead for good. Cameron's two free throws got LC within a point, 70-69, with 3:27 left. The Bishops got back-to-back treys from Devin Resper and Damon McDowell to go up seven, 76-69, with under two minutes remaining and the Panthers did not get closer than four from there.
Panther Standouts
Cameron was 11-for-20 shooting, including 5-for-10 from 3-point range. He came within a point of tying his career high of 31 points set earlier this season against East Texas Baptist.
Henry Blair had 12 points off the bench, while Shepherd finished with 10.
Kyle Brown had a game-high 10 rebounds.
Up Next
The Panthers host Covenant and Brevard in USA South games next Friday and Saturday.
