Both teams came into the game ranked nationally in NCAA Division III in three-point shooting percentage. They combined for 27 treys in the game, with LaGrange hitting a season-high 15.
The two teams both hit better than 50 percent of their shots. LaGrange shot 60 percent in the second half, finishing the game at 53 percent. Piedmont shot 54 percent in the game and held a 41-29 advantage on the boards.
The difference in the game for the Panthers was turnovers and some timely play off the bench. The Panthers forced 23 turnovers, including 17 steals and their bench outscored Piedmont's 27-9.
Robby Lawrence had 11 points on 3-for-3 shooting, including a pair of three-pointers. Justin Hodges had eight points in six minutes, including a three-pointer to put the Panthers ahead to stay.
The two teams went back and forth in the first half, with Piedmont taking a 45-44 lead at the break. Dustin David had 22 of his game-best 34 points for the Lions in the first half.
Piedmont built a seven-point lead in the first seven minutes of the second half. The Panthers fought back and Hodges' trey put the Panthers ahead to stay, 71-70, with 10 minutes remaining.
From there, Brett Huckle took over for the Panthers. He scored 16 of his team-high 25 points in the final 10 minutes. He hit back-to-back three-pointers to help the Panthers push their lead to 11.
David brought Piedmont back in the closing minutes. His jumper cut the Panthers' lead to four, 98-94 with 1:25 remaining. It would be as close as the Lions would get. The Panthers got back-to-back layups from Wesley Jones and Huckle to put the game out of reach.
In addition to Huckle and Lawrence, the Panthers had five players in double figures. Mark Isenhour had 17 points, while Dale Lomax and Bart Payne each had 15 points.
LAGRANGE 106, PIEDMONT 101 PIEDMONT (8-16, 0-8 GSAC) David, Dustin 13-23 3-3 34; Adcock, David 7-10 4-4 21; Rutambika, Furaha 6-13 5-8 17; Baker, Caleb 4-7 1-2 12; Ware, Tavarvess 4-8 0-0 8; Hazelwood, Roger 1-4 2-2 5; Baker, Dwight 2-3 0-0 4. Totals 37-68 15-20 101. LAGRANGE (13-11, 4-4 GSAC) Huckle, Brett 9-12 2-3 25; Isenhour, Mark 4-9 9-11 17; Lomax, Dale 6-11 1-2 15; Payne, Bart 4-8 4-5 15; Lawrence, Robby 3-3 3-4 11; Hodges, Justin 2-2 2-2 8; Jones, Wesley 3-8 1-2 7; Podbielski, Ben 2-4 0-0 4; Jackson, Corie 1-6 0-0 3; Lefebvre, Kyle 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 34-64 23-31 106. Piedmont College.............. 45 56 - 101 LaGrange College.............. 44 62 - 106 3-point goals-Piedmont 12-23 (David, Dustin 5-9; Baker, Caleb 3-5; Adcock, David 3-6; Hazelwood, Roger 1-2; Rutambika, Furaha 0-1), LaGrange 15-29 (Huckle, Brett 5-6; Payne, Bart 3-6; Lawrence, Robby 2-2; Hodges, Justin 2-2; Lomax, Dale 2-7; Jackson, Corie 1-3; Jones, Wesley 0-3). Fouled out--Piedmont -Baker, Dwight, LaGrange -None. Rebounds-Piedmont 41 (Rutambika, Furaha 15), LaGrange 29 (Payne, Bart 8). Assists-Piedmont 14 (Baker, Caleb 5), LaGrange 15 (Jones, Wesley 4). Total fouls-Piedmont 21, LaGrange 22.