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 history.
On Nov. 10, 2019, Jahpera McEachin delivered in crunch time.
The then-junior guard on the LaGrange College women's basketball team scored the game-winning runner on the left side of the lane with four seconds remaining in a 67-65 triumph over Berry during the SAA/USA South Classic at Oglethorpe in Atlanta.
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"Megan English looked at me and said, 'Jahpera, ice in your veins," said McEachin. "That is when I knew I had to make a play. I am grateful that the program trusted me enough and put the ball in my hands during crucial moments like that one."
McEachin finished with 13 points. Mykelli Taylor '20 poured in a team-high 16 points and seven rebounds. She shot 4-for-9 from the field, 3-for-7 on 3-pointers and 5-for-6 from the foul line. In 24 minutes off the bench, Nadia Montour recorded a career-high 15 points and tied a personal-best eight rebounds.
Taylor buried back-to-back, 3-point shots from the right wing in the second quarter, giving the Panthers a 30-25 advantage with 2:53 remaining. McEachin, Montour and Taylor combined for 23 first-half points. LaGrange led, 33-31, at halftime.
Berry built a three-point lead early in the fourth, but Montour converted a layup off an exceptional entry pass by Taylor, trimming the deficit down to 50-49 with 7:18 on the clock. LaGrange reclaimed the lead at 52-50 on three straight free throws by Taylor.
The Panthers concluded a 9-0 run by taking a 56-50 lead with 5:50 left, but the Vikings fought back and went in front, 65-64, with 1:12 remaining. Montour knotted the game at 65-65 on a free throw with 59 seconds left, setting the stage for McEachin's winning shot.
The Panthers' depth was crucial to the victory, boasting a decisive 30-5 advantage in bench points. LaGrange forced 21 turnovers, while only committing 13 of its own in a game that saw 10 lead changes and six ties.
LaGrange held advantages in rebounds (39-35), points in the paint (26-20) and second-chance points (16-14). The Panthers and Vikings have split their 16 all-time meetings.
Trevor Wenners can be reached at twenners@lagrange.edu.
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