Panthers split two games at Millsaps Women's Basketball Classic
Nov. 20, 2006

JACKSON, Miss. – The LaGrange College women's basketball team split two games at the season opening Millsaps Women's Basketball Classic. The Panthers beat host Millsaps College 42-40 on Friday before losing 91-48 to Mississippi College on Saturday.

Senior guard LaTessa Taylor was named to the all-tournament team. She had a team-high double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds against Millsaps and 10 points against Mississippi College.

The Panthers defeated the Lady Majors as the two teams combined for the fewest points in a game in the program's brief history. The 42 points were the fewest the Panthers have scored in a win.

The Panthers led 18-17 at halftime. The Panthers scored the first nine points of the second half to build a 27-17 lead. It was their biggest of the game. The Lady Majors rallied to get within a point, 34-33, with 9:14 left. Jessica Barba scored the Panthers' last basket with three minutes remaining for a 42-38 lead.

Millsap's Crystal Dickerson had game-highs of 16 points and 17 rebounds. Deborah Sturgis added 12 points for the Lady Majors.

"The girls did a good job of applying pressure to Millsap's ball handlers resulting in some turnovers and many rushed shots on their side of the floor.  We just could not put the ball in the hole on offense to really get the score heavily tilting to our side." Head Coach Kelly Britsky said. "We finished the second half with a well executed play in order to take the lead into halftime. Coming out of the locker room we had a nice run and kept the lead the rest of the way. Tessa Taylor had a great night."

Mississippi pulled away in the second half Saturday in beating the Panthers. The Panthers trailed 39-24 at halftime. They shot 50 percent in the first half, but only 27 percent in the second half. The Lady Choctaws forced 28 turnovers and held a 39-22 rebound advantage.

"They jumped on us early and we just could not respond.  They out worked us on the boards and limited us to one shot and out on offense." Britsky said. "They turned our game plan around on us.  The girls never quit and played a hard game, but turnovers and lack of rebounds resulted in a tough loss."

Mississippi's Michelle Cochran led all scorers with 18 points. Casie Hilton added 17, Lacey Kennedy 15 and Natalie Jordan 14 for the Lady Choctaws. Lindsey Moore led the Panthers with 12 points.

The Panthers host the University of the South on Tuesday in their home opener. Tip-off is 6 p.m.