The Stormy Petrels (1-1) rallied from an eight-point deficit in the final 10 minutes. Churchwell completed a three-point play with 38.7 seconds remaining to put Oglethorpe ahead to stay, 85-83.
Eric Dickinson, who had 26 points, iced the game with four free throws.
Oglethorpe was 38-of-43 from the free throw line, while LaGrange was 14-of-23.
The game was tied on 10 occasions and there were 22 lead changes.
LaGrange (0-2) got 19 points from Corie Jackson and 15 from Leon Williams.
LaGrange College vs Oglethorpe University 11/20/04 5 p.m. at Atlanta, Ga. At Atlanta, Ga. OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY 89, LAGRANGE COLLEGE 84 LAGRANGE COLLEGE (0-2) Jackson, Corie 7-17 3-4 19; Williams, Leon 7-12 1-2 15; Lawrence, Robby 5-10 2-2 14; Patterson, Michael 5-9 2-4 12; Herriott, Evert 2-3 2-2 6; Podbielski, Ben 2-2 1-2 5; Hodges, Justin 2-2 0-0 5; Darracott, Brian 1-2 1-3 3; Kelly, Kevin 1-1 0-0 3; Maddox, Antoine 0-2 1-2 1; Lefebvre, Kyle 0-4 1-2 1; McDowell, Roger 0-4 0-0 0; Fleming, Scott 0-1 0-0 0; Baize, Landon 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 32-71 14-23 84. OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY (1-1) Russ Churchwell 10-16 13-13 33; Eric Dickenson 4-9 16-18 26; Josh Burr 2-8 4-4 9; Nate Blong 4-4 0-2 8; Terry Bailey 2-3 2-2 6; Alex Waterson 2-8 1-2 5; Andrew Tulowitzky 0-2 2-2 2. Totals 24-50 38-43 89. LaGrange College.............. 42 42 - 84 Oglethorpe University......... 43 46 - 89 3-point goals-LaGrange College 6-23 (Lawrence, Robby 2-5; Jackson, Corie 2-7; Hodges, Justin 1-1; Kelly, Kevin 1-1; Maddox, Antoine 0-1; Lefebvre, Kyle 0-1; McDowell, Roger 0-3; Baize, Landon 0-1; Williams, Leon 0-3), Oglethorpe University 3-13 (Eric Dickenson 2-3; Josh Burr 1-6; Alex Waterson 0-1; Andrew Tulowitzky 0-1; Russ Churchwell 0-2). Fouled out--LaGrange College-None, Oglethorpe University-Terry Bailey. Rebounds-LaGrange College 36 (Patterson, Michael 10), Oglethorpe University 35 (Russ Churchwell 11). Assists-LaGrange College 13 (Jackson, Corie 4), Oglethorpe University 14 (Josh Burr 5). Total fouls-LaGrange College 32, Oglethorpe University 19. A-189 Tip-Off Classic