Joseph Marvin: Assistant Sports Information Director
LAGRANGE, Ga. – The Tornados battled back to tie the game in the final seconds of regulation, however, a LaGrange steal and score with three seconds left pushed the LaGrange Panthers (6-6, 2-3) past the Brevard College Tornados Women's Basketball team (6-7, 2-5) on Friday evening.
LaGrange's Marilauren Farr carried the Panthers' attack, scoring 22 points on 9-of-17 shooting from the field while grabbing a game-high 13 rebounds.
Brevard's Destiny Williams led the Tornados with 15 points on 5-of-11 shooting, grabbing four rebounds, dishing two assists, and swiping two steals. Williams had the hot hand from beyond the arc as well, as the sophomore forward shot 4-of-7 from long range.
Despite a slow start to the first half, senior Annalee Bollinger tallied nine points, all coming in the second half and overtime periods.
Washington's effort down the stretch helped the Tornados get back into the game. She recorded eight points, six rebounds, three assists, and two steals in a high-energy effort for Brevard.
Freshman Victoria Green provided an early scoring spark for Brevard off the bench, knocking in two 3-pointers in the first period.
Foul trouble once again plagued the Tornados throughout the contest, as 21 fouls sent the Panthers to the line for 29 free throw attempts, which translated into 20 points from the charity stripe.
Both sides struggled early in the contest to find their rhythm shooting the ball. The first quarter saw LaGrange hit only 4-of-14 (28.6%) from the field, while Brevard only mustered 2-of-14 (14.3%) shooting in the first quarter. LaGrange held a 10-6 lead after the first stanza.
LaGrange and Brevard went back and forth in the second period, with Brevard earning an 18-17 lead with 4:03 left, however, an 8-0 Panthers scoring run gave LaGrange a 25-18 halftime advantage.
LaGrange would maintain this lead throughout the third quarter, as a Williams' 3-pointer cut the lead to 39-35 heading into the final period of regulation.
A quick 5-0 scoring burst off of another Williams' long-range jump shot coupled with Breana Ware's layup gave Brevard a 40-39 lead, its first lead since the second quarter. Both sides jockeyed back and forth, with Brevard holding a 46-45 advantage late in the fourth period. With just 1:15 remaining, Farr was sent to the line after a Krysta Davis shooting foul, Farr hit both shots to give the Panthers a 47-46 lead. LaGrange's Jahpera McEachin made the back end of a pair of free throws to extend the Panthers' lead to 48-46.
Following Head Coach Donald Hudson's timeout, Washington took the inbounds pass and drove into the lane, connecting with a layup to tie the game with 10 seconds left. Washington would come up with a key defensive stop on the other end, sending the contest to overtime.
The Tornados held two three-point leads in the overtime period, but the Panthers found their way back to the free throw line, as LaGrange's Sarah Evans cut Brevard's lead to just one point at 55-54.
Washington came up big for Brevard once again, securing a rebound after the Panthers missed a layup with 18 seconds left in the game. However, a costly Tornado turnover led to McEachin sealing Brevard's fate with a fastbreak layup with three seconds remaining. Brevard was unable to muster a game-winning attempt, as the Tornados fell in close fashion for the third time this week, 55-54.
Brevard looks to get back in the win column as they rematch Wesleyan College (0-11, 0-4 USAS) in Macon, Ga. tomorrow at 2 p.m.
To follow along with all the latest news and updates surrounding Brevard College Athletics, please follow the Tornados on Twitter and Instagram @bctornados, or like Brevard College Athletics on Facebook.
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