LaGrange women go on the road to face Wesleyan in GSAC game
Jan. 9, 2006

GAME FACTS – The LaGrange College women's basketball team travels to Macon, Ga. to face Wesleyan College in a GSAC game at Porter Gym. The Panthers (6-6, 1-2 GSAC) snapped a five-game losing streak with a 79-42 non-conference win over Fisk at Mariotti Gymnasium on Sunday. Wesleyan is winless in seven games, including three in the GSAC. The Pioneers lost 68-60 at home against St. Joseph's (N.Y.) last Thursday. 

THE SERIES – The Panthers lead the series 13-2 and have won the last seven meetings. Last season, the Panthers won 80-27 at Macon and 66-40 in Mariotti. The Pioneers' last win against the Panthers came during the 2002-03 season, a 69-58 victory in Macon.

THE COACHES - LaGrange's Kelly Britsky is in her eighth season as the Panthers' women's head coach. She has a career record of 76-120. Britsky guided the Panthers to a 17-11 record during the 2001-2002 season that included a trip to the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) National Tournament.
Britsky played volleyball and softball for the Panthers while earning a degree in History in 1993 and a Masters in Education in 1999. She stayed on as an assistant coach in 1994 when the Panther softball team won a national championship. She left LaGrange for three years to coach basketball, softball, and track at Perry High School in Perry, Ga. before returning in 1997.

Wesleyan's Melissa Kelly is 0-2 as interim coach of the Pioneers. Kelly is the school's athletic director. She took over from Sara Wilson, who stepped down because of health issues.

ABOUT THE PIONEERS – Despite being winless, the Pioneers have the top two scorers in the GSAC. Erica Darden is averaging 15.3 points per game, while teammate Carisa Mitchell is averaging 14 points per game. Davida Dwyer is second in the conference in rebounding, averaging 9.4 per game. Darden is third in the GSAC in rebounding with 9.3 rebounds per game. The Pioneers had only five players available against St. Joseph's. Mitchell tied for game honors with 19 points. Darden and Dwyer had double-doubles in points and rebounds. Darden had 18 points and 12 rebounds, while Dwyer had 14 points and a game-high 18 rebounds. The Pioneers have not won a game since the 2003-04 season.

ABOUT THE PANTHERS – The Panthers cruised past Fisk 79-42 on Sunday to end their five-game losing streak. Head coach Kelly Britsky played all 16 players on the roster with 13 getting in the scoring column. Freshman post player Valeree Williams had 14 points to lead the Panthers. In a 63-49 loss Saturday to Maryville, senior LaTessa Taylor had a double-double of 10 points and 15 rebounds. Senior Kellee Scandrett led the Panthers against Maryville with 14 points. Taylor leads the Panthers in scoring and rebounding with 12.1 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. She is fourth in the GSAC in rebounding and fifth in scoring. Taylor is tied for seventh in the conference with 30 steals, averaging 2.5 per game.

RECORDS WATCH – LaTessa Taylor need 52 points to reach 500 career points with the Panthers…Lindsey Moore and Kellee Scandrett are 1-2 in career steals…Moore has 119 and Scandrett 116…Moore needs one more free throw made for 200 in her career and only the third Panther to reach the milestone…Scandrett's next assist will be career No. 100; tying her for fifth on the all-time list…Scandrett is also the career leader in three-pointers made with 102, the only Panther to go over the 100 mark.