Rhodes hands Panthers second straight loss
Dec. 15, 2006

Rhodes College handed LaGrange College its second straight loss, downing the Panthers 75-61 at Mariotti Gym on Friday. The loss dropped the Panthers to 5-3, while the Lynx improved to 6-3.

The Lynx never trailed in the game. They used a big first half run to seize control of the game. The Panthers never got closer than seven points the rest of the game after the run by the Lynx.

Ashley Farrell led Rhodes with a game-high 21 points. Crystal Jessee had a double-double of 14 points and a game-high 11 rebounds for the Lynx. Valeree Williams had a season-high 18 points off the bench to lead the Panthers. She was 7-for-10 from the floor, including a perfect 4-for-4 from three-point range. LaTessa Taylor added 16 points and Lindsey Moore 10.

The Panthers trailed 6-4 after Heather Power's (pictured) basket off a turnover five minutes into the game. From there, Rhodes went on a 15-0 run over the next seven minutes to open up a 21-4 lead. The Panthers were 0-for-14 shooting the ball during this span. The Lynx hit three straight treys, two by Becca Clarin, to finish the run.

The Panthers fought back to get back into the game. They outscored the Lynx 13-3 for the next seven minutes. Williams scored inside to cut the Lynx lead to 24-17. The Panthers never got closer the rest of the game. Williams finished the half with a pair of three-pointers to get the Panthers within nine at halftime, 32-23.

Taylor's jumper early in the second half got the Panthers within eight, 35-27. Rhodes built a 15-point lead on several occasions. The Panthers never got closer than 11 the rest of the game. Farrell scored 17 of her points in the second half to keep the Panthers at bay.

After shooting 26 percent in the first half, the Panthers shot 50 percent in the second half. The Panthers out rebounded the Lynx 41-37. Taylor led the Panthers with nine rebounds.

The Panthers host Brenau University on Saturday at 2 p.m. The Panthers will break for the holidays until Jan. 3 when they face Agnes Scott on the road.