Piedmont edges Panthers on last second free throw
Feb. 16, 2008

DEMOREST, Ga. –Samuel Coppage hit a free throw with 0.4 second left in regulation to lift Piedmont College to an 80-79 GSAC win over LaGrange College at the Johnny Mize Athletic Center on Saturday.

The Lions (12-11, 2-3 GSAC) stopped a three-game losing streak and a five-game losing streak to the Panthers (5-18, 1-4 GSAC). The Panthers had defeated the Lions 86-81 on Jan. 26 at Mariotti Gym. Saturday's game featured five ties and 14 lead changes.

The game featured the top two scorers in the GSAC. LaGrange's Demetris Render and Piedmont's Jake Baldwin tied for game honors with 22 points each. Piedmont's Michael Rubio had 20 points, hitting 4-of-5 three-pointers. Joe Cromwell had 16 points and Caleb Smallwood 15 for the Panthers.

The Panthers shot 67.7 percent in the first half and led 44-43. The Panthers finished the game shooting 60.3 percent. The Panthers were hurt by 24 turnovers in the game.

The Panthers trailed by nine points with three minutes left in regulation. Rubio hit two free throws to put the Lions up 77-68. Landon Baize started the Panthers' comeback with a 3-pointer. Render scored to make it 79-78 and tied the game at 79 by making one of two free throws with 56 seconds left.

The two teams swapped turnovers and Piedmont got the ball back with 34 seconds left. The Lions played for the last shot and Branden Mayweather attempted a 3-pointer. Coppage got the rebound and was fouled trying to put back the missed shot. He missed the first free throw but hit the second for the winning point.

The Panthers close out the regular season with a GSAC game against Huntingdon at Mariotti Gym on Thursday. It will be Senior Night for Baize, Render and Roger McDowell.