Agnes Scott tops Panthers in double overtime
Jan. 4, 2008

Agnes Scott College topped LaGrange College 76-70 in double overtime Friday night at Mariotti Gym. It was the GSAC opener for both schools. The Scotties evened their season record at 5-5, while the Panthers slipped to 4-7.

The game pitted two of the top three defensive teams in the GSAC. Agnes Scott came into the game allowing a conference low of 53.2 points per game. LaGrange was third in the conference, allowing 59.8 points per game.

The two teams combined for 63 fouls in the game. The Panthers had four players foul out in the game. The difference in the game came at the free throw line.

Agnes Scott went to the free throw line 58 times in the game, making 41 of the attempts. The Scotties' Evan Joslin, who led all scorers with 30 points, made 13-of-18 from the line. Teammate Morgan Smith hit 10-of-12 free throws before fouling out in regulation. LaGrange made 21-of-41 from the line.

Jessica Barba led the Panthers with 19 points. It was the third straight game the senior has set a career-high for points in the game. Ebonie Johnson added 15 points and Jessica Boler 11.

The Panthers trailed 42-35 with 4:47 left in regulation. Barba tied the game at 45 after completing a three-point play with 1:56 left in the game. Heather Tidwell's three-point play put the Panthers up 50-49 with 20 seconds left.

Joslin put the Scotties up 52-50 with a 3-pointer with 15 seconds left. The Panthers came right back on their next possession to send the game into overtime. Ashley DeFreitas drove the lane for a layup to tie the game at 52.

In the first overtime, neither team took control of the game. Agnes Scott led 57-54 after Laura Coleman made the second of two free throws. The Panthers tied the game at 57 on a basket and later a free throw from Barba. Cameren Farr's layup put the Panthers up 59-57, but Joslin answered for the Scotties to send the game into a second overtime tied at 59.

The Panthers held a 64-61 lead in the second overtime with 3:32 remaining. Joslin tied the game for the 13th and final time with a 3-pointer. Barba put the Panthers back up 66-64 with a basket with 3:03 left. It was the last basket made from the field by the Panthers.

Joslin put Agnes Scott ahead to stay, 67-66, with another 3-pointer with 2:39 left. The Panthers stayed close as Valeree Williams and Farr each hit a pair of free throws. But Nikki Maples sealed the game for the Scotties with two free throws with 20 seconds left for the 76-70 final.

Agnes Scott led 24-22 at halftime. The Scotties had the largest lead of the game, 23-12, with 6:24 left in the half. The Panthers chipped away at the deficit. Ashley DeFreitas scored off an assist from Cameren Farr at the buzzer to get the Panthers within two.

The Panthers host Spelman College in a GSAC game Wednesday at 6 p.m.