Maryville hands Panthers second straight GSAC loss
Jan. 19, 2008

Maryville College ran its winning streak to eight games with an 88-62 GSAC win over LaGrange College on Saturday at Mariotti Gym. The Fighting Scots improved to 15-2 overall after winning their GSAC opener. The Panthers lost their second straight GSAC game to fall to 0-2 in conference play and 4-12 overall.

Nic Whitfield tied for game honors with 22 points to lead the Panthers. Whitfield was 1-for-15 from the floor in the game. Demetris Render followed Whitfield with 18 points, while Joe Cromwell added 11. Christopher Orr led Maryville with 22 points, 18 coming in the second half. Eryk Watson added 19 points and Jonathan Johnson 11.

Maryville never trailed in the game. The Fighting Scots scored the game's first eight points before Whitfield got the Panthers' first basket. Whitfield scored six straight points to get the Panthers within five, 15-10, with 13:17 left in the first half.

The Fighting Scots opened up a 27-14 lead after a layup by Alex Bowers. Whitfield got the Panthers within striking distance with a soft jumper to make it 31-23 with 5:46 left in the half. But Maryville outscored the Panthers 18-7 the rest of the half to build a 49-30 lead. Whitfield and Render had 26 of the Panthers' 30 points at the half.

The Panthers never got closer than 15 points in the second half. The Fighting Scots led by as many as 27 late in the game. Watson had 15 of his points in the second half for Maryville.

The Panthers continue their four-game homestand Monday against Berry in a non-conference game. Tip-off is 7 p.m.