Short-handed Panthers race past Atlanta Christian
Jan. 15, 2008

EAST POINT, Ga. - LaGrange College raced past Atlanta Christian College 81-43 on the road Tuesday night. The win upped the Panthers' record to 6-8, while the Chargers dropped to 3-8. It was the second win of the season for the Panthers over Atlanta Christian. They defeated the Chargers 88-55 on Nov. 17.

LaGrange played the game with only seven available players. The Panthers had six players in double figures, led by Jennifer Penston's career-high 15 points. Jessica Boler had 14, Cameren Farr and Jessica Barba had 12 each, Melissa Mora 11 and Heather Tidwell had 10.

The Panthers shot 67 percent from the floor in the second half, finishing the game with a 58 percent average. The Panthers held the Chargers to 27 percent shooting in the game and held a 47-29 rebounding advantage.

LaGrange never trailed in the game. The game was tied three times in the early going. Penston made one of two free throws to break a 6-6 tie. It started a 10-0 run by the Panthers to take the lead for good. The Panthers scored on four straight possessions during the stretch.

Sharmice Hudson's basket got Atlanta Christian within six, 22-16, with 8:33 left in the half. After a timeout, the Panthers quickly built their lead. They outscored the Chargers 15-5 the rest of the way to take a 36-21 halftime lead.

The Panthers outscored the Chargers 15-4 in the first five minutes of the second half to stretch their lead to 26 points. Boler hit a pair of free throws to give the Panthers their largest lead, 79-38, with 2:18 remaining.

The Panthers travel to Wesleyan on Thursday in a GSAC game at 6 p.m. They return home Saturday to face Maryville in another GSAC game beginning at 4 p.m.