Message from Assistant Director of Sports Information Trevor Wenners: Interested in reliving some of the best games at LaGrange College? We are going back and exploring some of the most jaw-dropping wins in Panther athletics' history.
The LaGrange College women's basketball team has compiled many extraordinary comebacks over its 21-year existence.
This one ranks right up there with the best.
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| Madison Barker averaged a team-high 6.1 rebounds per game in 2015-16. |
In the first round of the 2016 USA South Tournament, the fourth-seeded Panthers collided with fifth-seeded Greensboro on Feb. 25 in Maryville, Tennessee. The Pride defeated LaGrange during the 2015-16 regular season and outlasted the Panthers in the semifinals of the 2015 conference tournament.
This time was different, as the Panthers overcame a nine-point deficit with 5:17 remaining in the fourth and earned a third-straight appearance in the semifinals during a thrilling 56-54 victory. LaGrange ended the game on an 11-0 run and Kelsey Walthall converted the game-winning layup with one second remaining off a feed by Kelsey Mitchell.
"I remember having the ball in hand, with a few seconds left, and scoring being the only thing on my mind," said Mitchell. "As I drove to the basket, I drew the defense and out of the corner of my eye saw Kelsey Walthall. At that moment, I knew that we were taking the win."
Mitchell did a little bit of everything, finishing with eight points, six rebounds and five assists. Madison Barker pulled down a team-high 10 rebounds and Walthall recorded a game-high 13 points.
"We were anxious to get to the next round, but we had to be cautious not to overlook a scrappy team like Greensboro," said Barker. "We rallied in the end and came up with the win. With time left on the clock, the ball in Kelsey Mitchell's hands and a strategic plan, we were never fully out of a game."
LaGrange opened an 11-5 lead with 3:43 remaining in the first quarter, as Mitchell set up Walthall for a layup. A 3-pointer by Bryanna Stanton of Greensboro with 13 seconds left in the second gave the Pride a 32-26 advantage heading into halftime.
The Panthers pulled to within one at 46-45 with 7:56 left in the fourth, as Marilauren Farr converted a layup off a dish by Mitchell. The Pride answered with an 8-0 run and took a 54-45 lead with 5:17 left on two made free throws by Alyssa Carbone.
LaGrange refused to crumble under the pressure and scored the game's final 11 points, holding the Pride scoreless for the final 5:17. Mitchell buried a crucial 3-pointer with 4:41 on the scoreboard, trimming the deficit down to 54-49.
Mitchell, who was a senior captain at the time, showcased her clutch gene with 1:06 on the clock, draining a pair of free throws and evening the game at 54-54. During the game's final sequence, Barker came up with a huge offensive rebound, setting the stage for Walthall to convert the game-winning layup.
Trevor Wenners can be reached at twenners@lagrange.edu.
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