Panthers roll past Spelman in GSAC opener
Nov. 29, 2006

The LaGrange College women's basketball team rolled past Spelman College 69-42 at Mariotti Gym on Wednesday. It was the GSAC season opener for both teams, as the Panthers upped their overall record to 4-1. The Panthers are 3-0 on their seven-game homestand.

The Panthers are off to their best start since the 2003-04 season, when they started 5-1. The Panthers can equal that start with a win Saturday against visiting Methodist College. Tip-off is 2 p.m.

The Panthers held Spelman (0-2) to 19 percent shooting in the game. The Jaguars shot only 14 percent in the second half. The Panthers forced 25 turnovers in the game. The two teams combined for 48 personal fouls and 72 free throw attempts in the game.

The two teams played on even terms the first nine minutes of the game. Heather Tidwell's free throw tied the game at 11 for the Panthers. Lindsey Moore with an assist from Heather Power scored off a turnover to start a 16-2 run by the Panthers.

Power and Kellee Scandrett had three-pointers during the three minute span. Moore's layup finished the run with another assist from Power to make it 27-13. Shannah Mabry's back-to-back three pointers at the end of the half put the Panthers up 41-24.

After shooting 46 percent in the first half, that included hitting 5-of-7 three's, the Panthers cooled off in the second half. Despite shooting only 28 percent in the second half, the Panthers continued to pull away.

LaTessa Taylor's basket gave the Panthers their biggest lead, 66-31, with under six minutes remaining. Taylor led all scorers with 14 points. She missed a double-double by one rebound, finishing with a team-high nine.

Moore and Valeree Williams (pictured), added 13 points each for the Panthers. The Panthers played all 18 players in the game, with 12 scoring at least a point. Malika Davis and Ariel Simpson had nine points each for Spelman. The Jaguars April Brown had a game-high 13 rebounds.