The Oglethorpe men's basketball team suffered its first loss of the season Saturday, falling at LaGrange in Day 1 of the LaGrange Classic, 73-65.

Things started off well for the Stormy Petrels, as they ran off a 13-3 stretch early in the game to take a 19-9 lead with 10:06 remaining in the half. They still led by 10, 22-12, with 8:18 left, but from there, the home-standing Panthers began a big run of their own. They ended the half on a 26-9 spurt to take over control of the game, and they led 38-31 at the half.

LaGrange shot 51.9 percent from the floor in the first half while Oglethorpe shot 34.4 percent. The Panthers also shot 50 percent from 3-point range to the Petrels' 20 percent. The Petrels did get 10 points in the period from sophomore guard Drew Patrick.

In the second half, LaGrange quickly extended their lead to 10 and proceeded to keep the Petrels at arm's length for the entire period. The Petrels would get no closer than four points the entire second half and LaGrange hit free throws down the stretch and put away the 8-point victory.

Neither team shot particularly well in the second half, as the Panthers outshot the Stormy Petrels 35.3-to-32.4 percent. Both teams turned the ball over three times in the half, and LaGrange outrebounded the Petrels 25-20 in the period. Patrick added another 10 points in the second half, as well.

For the game, LaGrange shot 42.6 percent to Oglethorpe's 33.3 percent. Oglethorpe shot just 17.4 percent from 3-point range to LaGrange's 25 percent. LaGrange outrebounded the Petrels, 52-40.

Patrick led the Petrels with 20 points for the game and four steals, while senior guard Tyler Courson added 11 points and two assists of his own. Overall, the Petrels managed only five assists total and committed 13 turnovers.

The Petrels drop to 5-1 on the season and will complete their weekend at the LaGrange Classic Sunday, when they take on Maryville (Tenn.) at 3 p.m. from LaGrange. They will then travel to Mount Berry, Ga., to take on Berry in their SAA opener Thursday night.