Box Score

LaGrange, GA -- The Piedmont College women's basketball team dropped a 64-58 decision on the road to Great South Athletic Conference member LaGrange College earlier this evening. The Lady Lions could not put the clamps on the nation's #1 ranked offense as the Panthers shot over 33% from downtown and 34% overall from the field.

This showdown between two of the GSAC's top three teams saw both squads fight tooth and nail for the lead throughout much of the first half with Piedmont striking first going on a 13-2 run to begin the game. However, that 11 point lead for the visitors would dwindle down to one at the midway point of the first half as the Panthers thrived on a home court advantage to back in it.

The opening frame would feature eight lead changes as it was the home team that held a five point lead at halftime 32-27. In the second half, it would be LaGrange's turn to go on a run scoring 16 points to Piedmont's six to open up the final 20 minute stretch.

A Laura Simmons jump shot with just under seven minutes remaining cut the home team's lead back down to single digits, but the Panthers continued to shoot well from the field connecting on close to 40% of their tries from the field in the second half. Piedmont continued to battle down the stretch but could not catch the Panthers as a rare Simmons three-pointer made the final margin 64-58.

Simmons posted a team-high 20 total points on eight of 16 shooting on a night that included a pair of three-pointers for the veteran forward. Simmons came up a single rebound shy of her first double-double performance in 2010-11 as her nine boards tied a season high.

Chipping in nine points was fellow Gainesville native Sada Wheeler who also came close to her own double-double on the evening pulling down 16 boards. The junior snagged 10 rebounds just on the defensive end alone while picking up a pair of steals and a trio of blocks to add to her stat line.

Guard Shanice Wheeler put in another solid defensive effort collecting four steals in the eight point loss while also grabbing three boards. Wheeler added eight points to the cause connecting on 75% of her tries at the free throw line while shooting over 33% from the field.

The loss drops PC to 15-7 on the season and 9-2 in conference play. The Lady Lions will now turn their attention the league leading Scots of Maryville College as Piedmont visits the GSAC leader for a 2:00 game on Sunday, February 13.