Link: USA South Release
The fifth-seeded LaGrange College women's basketball team is ready to compete against fourth-seeded Huntingdon in the first round of the USA South Tournament on Wednesday in Montgomery, Alabama, with tip-off set for 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
The Panthers (15-10, 8-8 USA South) have now qualified for the USA South Tournament in all eight seasons since joining the conference prior to the 2012-13 season. Head coach Lee Buchanan has been at the helm of the program for seven of the eight seasons, as he guided LaGrange to the semifinals of the tournament in his first three years from 2014-16.
"We have compiled a good season and look forward to continuing to play," said Buchanan. "It is always a fun time of year when the conference tournament starts. Everyone goes back to 0-0 and there are some very good basketball games. Huntingdon is impressive and we will have to play smart and focused basketball on Wednesday night."
The Panthers and Hawks (12-13, 11-5 USA South) split the regular-season series, with each team holding serve on its home court. Back on Jan. 22, LaGrange became only the second team to defeat Huntingdon in conference action during the 2019-20 season, with a 59-54 triumph in Mariotti Gym. The Hawks avenged the loss with a 57-47 win in Montgomery on Feb. 12. LaGrange leads the all-time series with Huntingdon, 23-20.
The winner of the West Division showdown between the Panthers and Hawks will take on top-seeded William Peace (22-3, 15-1 USA South) from the East Division in the quarterfinal round on Saturday at 2 p.m. in Raleigh, North Carolina.
PANTHERS' 2019-20 REGULAR-SEASON HIGHLIGHTS:
- The Panthers earned their second-ever win at Maryville and first since 2012 during a 52-48 victory on Jan. 25, as the team rallied from a 15-point deficit with 9:10 remaining. This win marked the fourth-ever victory by LaGrange over Maryville, with three of them coming under Buchanan. This victory was Buchanan's first win at Maryville with the Panthers. Juniors Nadia Montour, Daijah Cousins and Jahpera McEachin turned the tide in the fourth, as the three combined for 23 points, seven rebounds, four assists, two steals and one block.
- During a 72-65 win over visiting Covenant on Jan. 8, Buchanan picked up his 99th-career victory for LaGrange, which gave him the most wins in program history. Three days later, Buchanan earned his 100th win for the Panthers during a 67-46 triumph over visiting Agnes Scott.
- LaGrange won 6-of-7 games from Jan. 8-28, which included a four-game winning streak. The Panthers went 5-1 in the USA South during that stretch, including back-to-back wins over Huntingdon and Maryville.
LAGRANGE STANDOUTS:
- Senior captains Sadie Desroches, Sarah Evans and Mykelli Taylor have been strong leaders for the Panthers during the 2019-20 season. Taylor recorded her first-collegiate double-double with 11 points and a career-high 12 rebounds during a 66-26 win over Toccoa Falls on Feb. 6. Desroches set career highs in points (16) and made field goals (8) during a 71-54 triumph over Johnson University on Jan. 18. Evans secured a career-high 10 boards during a 49-47 win over Berry on Nov. 26.
- McEachin leads the Panthers in points (10.4) and steals (1.2) per game. She scored a career-high 25 points, shooting 11-for-11 from the free-throw line, at Oglethorpe on Nov. 9. McEachin has scored in double figures in 14 games this season.
- Cousins has been outstanding for LaGrange, shooting a conference-best 83.1 percent from the foul line (64-for-77). She has scored in double figures seven times this season, including in three out of the last six games. She dropped a career-high 22 points, going 8-for-8 on free throws, during a 76-74 setback to Berea on Feb. 2.
SCOUTING HUNTINGDON:
- Shaonica Thomas leads the way for the Hawks in points (14.8) and rebounds (7.5) per game, ranking eighth and 16th, respectively, in the two categories in the USA South. Additionally, she ranks fourth in the conference in field-goal percentage (51.3, 143-for-279).
- The Hawks are 8-4 this season on their home court, featuring double-digit wins over Piedmont and Maryville on Dec. 14 and 15.
