Written by: Danny Talbert
LC finish 0-2 in the regular season against Berea with today's 71-63 loss.
First half details
Similar to last night's game, today's matchup against Berea began very close. Despite the Mountaineers getting out to an early lead, the Panthers kept it close throughout the first quarter. LC was able to grab a 16-15 with two minutes left in the period thanks to a Britney Chavez three pointer. The first quarter ended with an 18-17 Panthers lead. Taylor Smith had a team-high eight points in the period. The Panthers continued to hold a slight advantage over the host Mountaineers in the second. Under six minutes left in the half, LC led 23-20. Over the next two minutes, the Panthers extended their lead to 31-25 after Berea missed shots on consecutive possessions. The Panthers stayed in front of the remainder of the half. At the break, LC lead 34-33 As a team, the Panthers shot 38% from the field and 33% from three. Taylor Smith scored a team-high 12 points, shooting 50%.
Second half details
Berea came out in the second half going on a 7-2 run. In three minutes, the Mountaineers were up 39-36. The Panthers shots continued to struggle to fall until the five-minute media time-out. At the break LC trailed 45-41. A few possessions later, Britney Chavez capped off a brilliant Panther play after crisp LC ball movement left Chavez open for her to hit a three. At the end of the third, LC trailed 50-47 to the first place CCS team Berea. The Panthers tied Berea 50-50 in the first possession of the quarter, after Ema Turner knocked down a three of her own. Berea answered with three quick scores to go up 57-52 and force a LC time-out. Every time the Panthers closed in, Berea would go on a short run in order to escape LC. Sadly, Berea did just enough the rest of the way to hold on to win 71-63.
Top Panther performance
Amanda Mclendon went off today. The forward secured another double-double after scoring a team-high 14 points and grabbing 13 rebounds.
Next game
The Panthers return home to take on Agnes Scott this Tuesday (Feb. 6), at 5 p.m.
