Written by: Danny Talbert
Despite an improved second half LC performance, it was not enough to rise above the Skyhawks, Point won 66-60.
First half details
Both teams started the game trading three pointers on their first possessions. Only a minute later, Laila Battle hit her second three of the game to push the LC lead to 6-3. The Skyhawks would go on to take advantage of the Panthers turnovers and contested field goal attempts. In the first ten minutes, LC had six turnovers and was shooting 28% from the field. The visitors led 15-12 at the end of the first quarter. To begin the second quarter, the Skyhawks went on a 12-4 run to extend their lead to 27-16 with five minutes remaining in the period. The best play of the half happened when Kendra Roberts made an explosive stop and start move past her defender, planted her feet and hit a short jump shot over the help defense. After a Panther time out, the LC defense started to lock down the Skyhawks and Zyhia Johnson's shots began to fall. With under two left, Point's lead was cut to 32-28. The Skyhawks led 36-28 at the break. Zyhia Johnson scored a team-high 10 points through two quarters.
Second half details
The Panthers started the half by scoring back-to-back jumpers which forced an early Point time out. Out of the break, Amanda Mclendon made an impressive move past her defender inside the paint to cut Points lead to 40-34. LC then hit consecutive three points in a row to tie the game at 40 with five minutes left in the third. The best Panther play of the half came when Amanda Mclendon made a contested jumper over the Point defender and got the and-one call. The third quarter ended with Point up 53-48 over the Panthers. In the first three minutes of the fourth, both team shots struggled to fall. That was until Mclendon again made a fantastic move past a Point player and got another and-one call. The game stayed close the rest of the way but the Skyhawks were able to hold on to win 66-60.
Top Panther performance
Amanda Mclendon had a fantastic performance tonight. The forward scored 15 points, shooting 66% from the field. She also had an incredible 16 rebounds and one assist.
Next game details
The team travels to Birmingham, Ala. to take on Samford next Wednesday (Dec. 13), at 7 p.m.
