Panthers top Pensacola Christian to end two-game losing streak
Jan. 8, 2008

LaGrange College stopped a two-game losing streak with an 81-71 win over Pensacola Christian College at Mariotti Gym on Tuesday night. The Panthers upped their record to 4-10, while the Eagles slipped to 3-8.

The Panthers never trailed in the second half and were able to wear down the Eagles. Pensacola was playing its fifth game in the last six days. The Eagles are on an 11-game 18-day road trip.

Caleb Smallwood came off the bench to lead the Panthers' scoring. Smallwood finished with 20 points, hitting 6-of-9 from the floor. Joe Cromwell added followed Smallwood with 19 points. Demetris Render came into the game averaging 23.5 points per game. He was held to 12 points but had a game-high 10 rebounds. It was Render's fourth double-double of the season.

In the first half, the two teams battled on even terms for the first 12 minutes. Micah Bowman's jumper gave the Eagles a 22-18 lead. Cromwell hit a 3-pointer and followed with a jumper to put the Panthers ahead to stay, 26-24, with 7:28 left in the half.

Smallwood hit a 3-pointer to give the Panthers their largest lead of the half, 35-26, with five minutes left. Neither team scored over the final 3:50 of the half as the Panthers led 37-30 at the break.

Goetsch's 3-pointer at the outset of the second half drew the Eagles within two, 37-35. The Panthers kept a 4-to-7 point lead until late in the game. Smallwood's layup gave the Panthers their largest lead, 72-61, with 1:58 remaining. Roger McDowell hit a pair of free throws to close out the scoring for the 81-71 final.

The Panthers open GSAC play Saturday at Huntingdon College. They return home on Jan. 19 to face Maryville College in a GSAC game.