Panthers lose season opening games at Coaches vs. Cancer Classic
Nov. 17, 2007

LaGrange College opened its 2007-08 season with a pair of losses in its own Coaches vs. Cancer Tournament on Friday and Saturday. The Panthers lost a 142-122 shootout to Emory & Henry on Friday and fell 76-59 to Centre in the tournament consolation game Saturday.

"It was good to have the ability to put 122 points on the board the first time out but we made enough mistakes to give up 142." Head coach Warren Haynes said.  "In order to handle pressure basketball like that you have to limit mistakes and take care of the ball.

"On Saturday, we made a complete 180 degree turn. It was a regular pace game but not a slow pace. I thought going into the weekend, Saturday's game would be a bigger concern."

In the tournament opener Friday, the Panthers faced an Emory & Henry team that was third in the nation in NCAA Division III scoring last year. The Wasps averaged 109 points and were held under 100 points only four times in 25 games.

The 142 points scored by Emory & Henry were the most ever by an opponent. The Wasps broke the old mark of 131 set by Kennesaw State during the 1990-91 season. The 122 points were the most scored by LaGrange in a losing effort. The 264 combined points were the second highest in Panther basketball history. The Panthers beat Selman 137-128 during the 1992-93 season.

Seniors Demetris Render and Roger McDowell had career-nights for the Panthers. Render poured in 45 points, just eight off the school record. He was 20-for-23 shooting from the floor. McDowell had 26 points, hitting 12-of-15 shots. Sophomore transfer Caleb Smallwood added 19 points in his first game as a Panther. The Panthers shot 66 percent in the game.

Kyle Huckins was a perfect 13-for-13 and finished with 27 points to lead Emory & Henry. The Wasps had six players in double figures. They shot almost 63 percent in the game.

The Wasps raced to a 78-59 halftime lead. The Panthers could not make a run at the lead in the second half. They got the deficit under 20 points only once.

In the consolation game against Centre on Saturday, the Panthers never were able to recover from a slow start. The Panthers fell behind by 10 points after the first five minutes of the game. Centre had its largest lead of the game, 46-11, with three minutes left in the first half. The Colonels led 48-23 at halftime, holding the Panthers to 27 percent shooting.

The Panthers whittled away at the deficit in the second half. They drew within 15 on three occasions late in the game. The last time on a layup by Landon Baize, who led the Panthers with a career-high 15 points. Render added 13 points and a team-high seven rebounds.

"I was able to see how far our 11 newcomers have come learning our various sets and reads." Haynes said. "We can see now how much work is ahead of us, but we are not that far behind as a unit. Our three seniors will also be improving their games, as they have not hit their peak yet."

The Panthers are on the road for their next five games, starting Tuesday at the University of the South. The Panthers return home Dec. 4 to face Atlanta Christian.