LaGrange ground out a 66-62 win over Piedmont on Tuesday in Mariotti Gym in the first USA South game of the season for both teams. The Panthers went to 6-8 on the season, while the Lions dropped to 5-8 with their sixth straight loss.
Both teams had not played since Dec. 30. LC has had two games postponed since that date, while Piedmont had four postponements.
The Panthers got a game high 16 points from Zac Hill, who also had seven rebounds. Over the last five games, Hill is averaging 15.0 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. Bershard Edwards followed with 15 points. Kyle Brown, the team's leading scorer, was held to a season-low five points but contributed with a game high nine rebounds.
The game was physical from the opening tip. The two teams combined for 42 fouls in the game. The Panthers outrebounded the Lions 43-37 in the game, including a 16-10 edge on the offensive boards. It was only the third time LC has outrebounded an opponent this season. The Panthers are 3-0 in those games.
Coach Kendal Wallace
"Our objective was to come out with energy and enthusiasm and try to punch them in the mouth. I don't know if that happened but we did finally get our niche and start listening to the game plan. I was proud of the way they played. We could do a little better job in late game situations, but all in all its a win and we're happy to get it. It was good to get off 16 days of practice. Now we have to go up to Covenant on Friday, who's really playing good basketball right now. I thinks its anybody's conference right now, all you have to do is win on any given night and keep it rolling."
The Game
In the first half, the game was tied three times and the lead changed seven times. Joe Helenbrook's layup gave Piedmont a 17-10 lead. The Panthers held the Lions to three points over the next six minutes to claw their way back into the game. Kyle Smith completed a three-point play to tie the game at 20. Hill's basket inside broke a 26-26 tie. Micah Paulk followed a 3-pointer and Camerin Lyons hit a short jumper to put LC up 33-26. The Panthers scored the last six points of the half on a trey by Edwards, a pair of free throws by Brown, and one by Lyons to lead 39-29 at the half.
Micah Paulk's three-point play six minutes into the second half gave the Panthers their largest lead, 49-36. The Lions chipped away at the deficit and Justin Quick's two free throws made it a four point game, 62-58, with 1:09 left. Hill and Lyons each made two free throws to help seal the win. The Panthers were 20-of-34 at the line in the game compared to Piedmont's 10-of-22.
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