Rust broke a 28-28 tie in the first half. The Lady Bearcats outscored the Panthers 13-2 in the last five minutes to lead 41-30 at halftime.
The Panthers regained the lead six minutes into the second half. Kellee Scandrett hit a three-pointer for a 51-49 lead. Rust regained the lead briefly, but Scandrett hit another three-pointer to put the Panthers ahead to stay, 54-53.
Scandrett's basket started a 17-2 run by the Panthers. She finished the run with a three-pointer for a 68-55 lead with nine minutes remaining.
The Panthers would lead by as many as 14, before Rust made a comeback. The Lady Bearcats got as close as six points in the final minutes. The Panthers sealed the win at the free throw line, scoring their final seven points at the line.
Scandrett led a balanced Panther scoring attack with 14 points. Shannah Meares added 12, LaTessa Taylor 11 and Lindsey Moore 10. LaDetra Bridges had a game-high 21 points for Rust.
The Panthers host Huntingdon in a GSAC game on Wednesday, Jan. 25 beginning at 6 p.m.
At Holly Springs, Miss. LAGRANGE COLLEGE 80, RUST COLLEGE 71 LAGRANGE COLLEGE (4-13) Kellee Scandrett 5-13 0-0 14; Shannah Meares 2-4 6-6 12; LaTessa Taylor 5-8 1-4 11; Lindsey Moore 4-7 2-3 10; Heather Power 2-4 4-4 8; Jennifer Penston 4-10 0-0 8; Heather Tidwell 3-5 1-1 8; Lorraine Bgoya 2-2 2-6 6; Lauren Pannell 0-1 3-4 3. Totals 27-54 19-28 80. RUST COLLEGE (4-10) LaDetra Bridges 7-12 7-7 21; Monique Seals 5-11 2-3 12; Helen Wright 3-10 3-4 10; Jantre Smith 4-9 2-3 10; Davidetta Mah 3-10 0-3 7; Audredry Adams 2-8 0-0 5; Kelly King 1-4 0-0 2; April Whitehead 1-4 0-0 2; Latoya Brown 1-3 0-0 2; Katrina Overby 0-0 0-0 0; Chanetha Ramsey 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 27-72 14-20 71. LaGrange College.............. 30 50 - 80 Rust College.................. 41 30 - 71 3-point goals-LaGrange College 7-15 (Kellee Scandrett 4-5; Shannah Meares 2-4; Heather Tidwell 1-2; Heather Power 0-2; Jennifer Penston 0-1; Lindsey Moore 0-1), Rust College 3-20 (Davidetta Mah 1-5; Audredry Adams 1-7; Helen Wright 1-3; April Whitehead 0-1; Chanetha Ramsey 0-1; Jantre Smith 0-3). Fouled out--LaGrange College-LaTessa Taylor, Rust College-Helen Wright. Rebounds-LaGrange College 37 (Lauren Pannell 7), Rust College 47 (Monique Seals 8; Davidetta Mah 8; LaDetra Bridges 8). Assists-LaGrange College 14 (LaTessa Taylor 3; Heather Power 3; Lauren Pannell 3), Rust College 14 (Helen Wright 5). Total fouls-LaGrange College 20, Rust College 24. A-110