Written by: Danny Talbert
Men's basketball improves to 5-1 after securing a 71-57 win over Oglethorpe. Brodie Scott had a team-high 17 points and nine rebounds tonight for the Panthers.
First half
The Panthers started the weekend's second match going up 9-3 fast. One of the first points came from a smooth layup by Kameron McCall over the Oglethorpe defender. Seven minutes into the game, Oglethorpe took an 11-9 lead. This was due to the Petrels taking advantage of the six Panther fouls (the visitors only had one). The best play of the half came from senior Cam Lyons. The guard put the Panthers up 15-13 when he jumped the Oglethorpe pass, drove it down the court and then finished the play with an acrobatic layup. With ten minutes left, LC led 20-19. This is when a Kyle Smith pass cut through Oglethorpe's defense and into the hands of a sprinting Brodie Scott, for Scott to hit a layup. Brodie Scott has consistently shown this year that he is willing to outwork any opposing defender in order to make big-time Panther plays. In the final five minutes of the half, LC held on to a 31-27 lead. In the remaining minutes, both teams' shots struggled to fall. LC scored a handful of points at the line and a pair of jump shots, while Oglethorpe hit a three and a couple of layups. At half, LC led 40-32.
First half stats
Brodie Scott led LC in points (12) while shooting 63%. As a team, LC shot 54% from the field and 25% beyond the arc. The visitors from Oglethorpe narrowly out-rebounded the Panthers 22-19 and steals 5-4.
Second half
LC began the second half with a physical put back two by Tayshawn Pendleton. During the play, Pendleton was shoved from behind, which secured him the 'and one.' Oglethorpe then went down and responded with a three pointer. Five minutes into the half, the Panthers led 50-41. Despite the students being gone for Thanksgiving break, Mariotti was filled with LC fans cheering on the Panthers. If you have not had a chance to attend an LC home game, you must come out and check out the electric atmosphere. The most impressive Panther play of the half came with 12 minutes left. Even though Jace Herrell is not close to being the tallest player on the court, it did not stop the guard from grabbing a rebound and hitting a jumper while being surrounded by Oglethorpe players. With ten minutes left, the Panther lead was cut to 56-50 after the Petrels hit a three. LC led 65-55 with five minutes left. The Panthers got to this 10-point lead by taking advantage of the visitors' missed shots and out-rebounding them. LaGrange College's lockdown defense secured the 71-57 win.
Key Panther performances
Brodie Scott scored a team-high 17 points while shooting 54% from the field and 33% from three. He also grabbed nine rebounds.
Tayshawn Pendleton also had a great game tonight. He finished with seven rebounds, eight points, one assist and a rebound.
Next game details
The Panthers stay at home to face Berry College (Nov. 21) at 6 p.m.
