Maryville turns back Panthers, 85-74
Feb. 9, 2008

MARYVILLE, Tenn. - GSAC leader Maryville turned back LaGrange College 85-74 on Saturday. The Panthers fell to 5-17 overall and 1-3 in conference play. Maryville (20-2, 4-0 GSAC) set a new school record with its 13th straight win.

LaGrange was led by Demetris Render's 18 points. Render tied for game honors with Maryville's Christopher Orr for game honors. Render pulled down a game-high nine rebounds. The Panthers had three other players in double figures. Caleb Smallwood had 17 points, Nic Whitfield 12 and Deji Adako 11.

Despite shooting 60 percent in the first half, the Panthers trailed 47-34. The Panthers led 16-12 with 12:14 left in the half after Whitfield hit a jumper. The Scots went on a 20-6 lead over the next seven minutes to go up 32-20. Orr's dunk at the end of the half gave the Scots their 13-point lead.

The Panthers started chipping away at the Scots' lead at the start of the second half. Britt Gaylor's 3-pointer got the Panthers within three, 53-50, with 13 minutes left. The Scots responded with a 17-5 run over a five-minute span to go up 70-54.

Once again, the Panthers came back. Landon Baize's layup cut the deficit to six for the Panthers, 73-67, with 4:49 left. The Panthers did not get any closer. Maryville sealed the game with six straight free throws in the final minute.

The Panthers play at Piedmont next Saturday in a GSAC game.