Written by: Danny Talbert
The Panthers improved to 4-1 in the CCS with a 69-56 win over Maryville College.
First half details
LC began today's game against the Scots of Maryville on fire. In the first two minutes, the Panthers were up 11-2. LC began the game in press, which forced Maryville to make careless choices with the ball. In just two minutes, the Panthers had two steals and 6 points off of turnovers. At the end of one quarter, LC led 22-11. As a team, the Panthers shot 50% from the field and was 100% from three. Taylor Smith had a team-high eight points, shooting 100% from the field. The Panthers' scoring began to cool down dramatically in the second quarter. In nearly five minutes, LC had yet to score in four series in a row. The Panthers were able to wake up after Ashley Free hit a wide up three, followed by a deep Lalia Battle jump-shot. LC was able to hold onto the lead until the half. At the break, the Panthers were up 35-28. Lalia Battle scored a team-high 10 points, while shooting 80% from the field and 100% from three.
Second half details
Similar to the first half, the Panthers came out of the break in a press defense. The first Scot possession was stopped short when Ashley Free stole the ball from the Maryville guard, found a wide open Laila Battle, for Battle to knock down a three. Amanda Mclendon demonstrated how dominant she can be in the paint in the third quarter. The forward stopped any Scot player from going by her and grabbed multiple rebounds, one of which she put back for two while being surrounded by defenders. At the end of the third quarter, LC led 51-42. The visitors from Tennessee showed that they did not travel all this way to get crushed. In the fourth quarter, the Scots fought back to bring LC's lead to just 59-54. Despite the Scots best effort, the Panthers were able to hold on to win 69-59.
Top Panther performance
Lalia Battle had a fantastic performance today. The 2022-23 CCS Sixth Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year scored a team-high 21 points, shooting 67% from the field and 50% from three. She also added four assists and two rebounds.
Next game details
The team hits the road to take on Agnes Scott College on Jan. 16, at 5 p.m.
