Jahpera McEachin's basket with 3 seconds left in overtime lifted LaGrange to a 56-55 win over Brevard in Mariotti Gym on Friday night. The Panthers evened their season record at 6-6 and are 2-3 in conference play.
"Wow, what a hard fought game tonight. I am so pleased for our players," said Coach Lee Buchanan. "They played with tremendous effort and intensity. Our defense was very solid all night, the biggest defensive play was at the end of overtime. Charley Amissah-Reyes came up with the steal, made a great pass ahead and Jahpera made the winning basket."
Senior Marilauren Farr had a game-high double-double of 22 points and 13 rebounds to pace LC. Farr was the only Panther in double figures. Daijah Cousins had 7 points, while McEachin had 6.
LC led 25-18 at halftime as Farr had 14 of the points. She scored the first basket of the second half to give the Panthers their largest lead of the game, 27-18. Brevard (6-7, 2-5 USA South) chipped away at the Panthers' lead and trailed 39-35. The Tornados scored the first five points of the final quarter to take a 40-39 lead. A pair of free throws by Farr and one from McEachin put the Panthers up 48-46 with 32 seconds left in regulation. Ty'She Washington tied the game at 48 for the Tornados with 10 seconds left. She intercepted a pass from McEachin but was unable to get off a shot before the buzzer.
McEachin hit a running jumper in the lane to open overtime. The Tornados scored the next five points to go up 53-50. Sarah Evans made two free throws to make it a one-point game, 55-54, with 1:08 left. The Tornados missed two chances to up their lead, but the Panthers got the ball with 37 seconds left. Sadie Desroches' layup was off the mark as Brevard got the ball back with 12 seconds showing. Amissah-Reyes stole Victoria Green's pass and found McEachin, who laid the ball in with 3 seconds left on the clock. Washington's desperation 3-pointer at the buzzer was off the mark.
"Marilauren was really good as well on both ends of the floor tonight. She was agressive and played super hard. A quality double-double for her," added Buchanan. "We have a quick turnaround, tomorrow will be our third game in four days."
The Panthers host Covenant on Saturday in a USA South game beginning at 4 p.m.
