Panthers top Methodist, match best start ever
Dec. 2, 2006

The LaGrange College women's basketball pulled away in the second half to down Methodist College 81-66 at Mariotti Gym on Saturday. The win upped the Panthers' record to 5-1, while Methodist dropped to 3-3.

With the win, the Panthers have matched their best start ever. The 2003-04 team also started 5-1. The Panthers will go for their best start ever when they host Oglethorpe on Wednesday beginning at 7 p.m.

The Panthers got a team-high 16 points from senior guard Kellee Scandrett. Ebonie Johnson had a season-high 15 points and Jessica Barba 14 more off the bench. Barba came within one point of matching her career high. LaTessa Taylor added 10 points.

LaGrange trailed only once in the game, 7-5, in the first three minutes. Taylor's layup put the Panthers up 9-7 and they never trailed again. The Panthers led 40-30 at the half. Methodist rallied at the start of the second half. The Lady Monarchs cut the Panthers' lead to two, 52-50, after Courtney Bissette's three-pointer with 12:08 left.

Leading 56-53 with less than 10 minutes remaining, the Panthers took control of the game with a 12-0 run in the span of two minutes. Scandrett sparked the Panthers with nine points during the run. She completed a four-point play after hitting a three-pointer, hit another three and finished with a layup for a 68-53 lead.

Methodist never got closer than 10 points the rest of the way. Taylor hit a pair of free throws to give the Panthers their largest lead, 75-59, with 4:31 left.

Stacy Williams had a game-high 23 points to lead the Lady Monarchs. Harris added 10 points and a game-high seven rebounds.

The Panthers shot 50 percent in the game, while hitting 5-of-10 three-pointers. The Panthers held a 35-33 rebounding advantage and forced 26 turnovers.