Barba sparks Panthers' win over Huntingdon
Feb. 21, 2008

Senior Jessica Barba sparked a second-half comeback to lead LaGrange College to a 74-68 win over Huntingdon College on Thursday at Mariotti Gym. The win closed out the regular season for the Panthers, now 11-14 overall and 5-7 in the GSAC. Huntingdon dropped to 14-10 overall and 6-5 in conference play.

Barba and fellow seniors Shannah Mabry and Jennifer Penston were recognized in ceremonies after the game. Barba had a game-high 24 points, 22 coming in the second half. She had her ninth double-double of the season, finishing with 10 rebounds.

The Panthers trailed 33-30 at halftime. Barba scored seven of the Panthers' first 12 points of the second half as they took a 42-36 lead. The Lady Hawks ran off eight straight points to go up 46-44. Melissa Mora's 3-pointer regained the lead for the Panthers, 47-46, with less than 13 minutes left.

The Panthers held the lead for the next 11 minutes. They led by as many as eight, 61-53, after Jessica Boler hit a pair of free throws with 5:20 left. Huntingdon came back with a 13-4 run to retake the lead. Tiffany Jordan's 3-pointer put the Lady Hawks up 66-65 with 2:34 left.

Barba answered Huntingdon's run with a run of her own. She scored seven straight points to put the Panthers ahead to stay, 72-66. Barba started the run with a pair of free throws. She completed a three-point play to finish the run. Ebonie Johnson hit two free throws to put the Panthers up 74-66. Jordan scored an uncontested layup at the buzzer for the 74-68 final score.

In the first half, Huntingdon took a 33-30 lead. Lori Bonds had 14 of her team-high 20 points in the half. The Panthers had led 13-7 after a basket from Ebonie Johnson. The Panthers still led 26-22 with three minutes left. The Lady Hawks ran off eight straight points to go up 30-28. Johnson tied the game for the Panthers with a pair of free throws. Jordan hit a free throw and Patsy Slater hit a jumper to give Huntingdon its halftime lead.

Jessica Boler also had a double-double for the Panthers. She had 12 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. Johnson finished with 11 points and four rebounds.

The two teams will meet in the first round of the GSAC Championship Tournament on Tuesday. Huntingdon will host the game as the conference's fourth seed.