LaGrange gave second-ranked Emory all it could handle before falling 98-89 at Mariotti Gym on Wednesday night. The Panthers are now 1-4, while the Eagles stayed unbeaten, improving to 8-0.
Coach Kendal Wallace:
"We prepared for this and we think we're as good as them. We just haven't come out on top of the W column these last couple of games. We learned a lot and we grew up tonight, which was very important for us with our conference schedule coming up. This was a great game for us to grow up a little, losing by nine to the No. 2 team in the country is fairly okay but I don't like moral victories but I want my kids to stay positive. I want to play the tough teams. There is no reason to play a bunch of teams we know we can beat. We want to play the best teams so that we're ready to play in February, that we're tough and can handle all the things that come at us mentally."
How it Happened
Emory led 12-0 three minutes into the game. Henry Blair's dunk got LC on the scoreboard. Over the next five minutes the Panthers chipped away at the Eagles' lead. Kyle Brown drove the lane for a layup to give the Panthers their first lead, 21-20, with 11:57 left in the half.
For the rest of the half the game was tied nine times and the lead changed hands 10 times. Matthew Schner, who had a game-high 30 points and 12 rebounds, scored inside to put the Eagles up 47-45 at the half. Blair, Brown and Zac Hill combined for 24 points off the bench to help get LC back in the game.
In the second half, Bershard Edwards' layup tied the game for the last time, 53-53. Blair made a steal, then dunked at the other end to make it a one-point game, 56-55.
Emory used a 13-3 run to take a 73-60 lead with 11:41 remaining. The Panthers got within six points on three occasions, the last on Julian Cameron's jumper with 4:26 left to make it 81-75. LC would get no closer the rest of the way.
By the Numbers
Emory out rebounded the Panthers 56-35, including a 38-19 advantage on the defensive boards.
LC was out scored 27-7 at the free throw line. The Panthers were 7-of-17 at the line.
The Panthers held Emory to 3-of-14 shooting 3s. The Eagles came into the game averaging 11 3s per game.
Panther Standouts
Cameron finished the game with 29 points, just two shy of tying his career high.
Brown had 15 points and Blair added 13. LC's bench had a 34-4 advantage in the game.
Cameron and Porter Law had seven assists each.
Lincoln Anderson had a team-high nine rebounds.
Up Next
The Panthers break for final exams. They resume play Dec. 14 when they open USA South play at Maryville.
