The LaGrange College women's basketball team is thrilled to jump back into competition on Wednesday, as the Panthers try to improve to 5-0 with a 7 p.m. game at Wesleyan in Macon, Georgia.
LC squares off against Huntingdon in Montgomery, Alabama, on Friday at 4 p.m., and then the two teams meet in Mariotti Gym on Sunday at 2 p.m. You can find links to the video streams and live stats on lagrangepanthers.com.
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With the cancellation of NCAA Division III winter championships, the USA South adjusted its postseason basketball format. The tournaments are strictly divisional, the top-four teams on each side qualify and games are hosted by the higher seeds. The winners of each bracket will be crowned divisional conference champions.
"This week is crucial for playoff positioning," said LaGrange College women's basketball head coach Jasen Jonus. "If we want the opportunity to be at home in the playoffs, we must keep winning. All three games will be big tests and we need to take it one day at a time."
The Panthers won their first four games for the first time since 2017-18, with three victories coming by 39 or more points. In the West division, Maryville (6-0), Piedmont (4-0) and LaGrange (4-0) are undefeated in conference action.
LAST TIME OUT:
The Panthers are fresh off a 69-56 triumph at Covenant on Jan. 23, the program's first victory on the road against the Scots since Jan. 28, 2017. The Panthers held the Scots to 15 or less points in all four quarters and LC's offense exploded with two 20-point quarters. LaGrange improved to 17-6 in the all-time series with Covenant.
Junior guard Jalaya Lewis finished with personal-bests of 18 points and four made 3-pointers. Senior captain Jahpera McEachin shot 13 of 15 from the charity stripe. The 13 made free throws are tied for the seventh most in a single game in team history. She also recorded eight rebounds, five assists and tied a career-high five steals. Sophomore forward Breonna Glover tallied career-highs with seven points and nine boards. Junior captain Jada Brown equaled a personal-best with eight rebounds.
KEEP IT GOING JAHPERA:
On Jan. 25, McEachin became the first LC women's basketball player to earn USA South Player of the Week honors since Marilauren Farr '19 accomplished the feat on Nov. 19, 2018. McEachin tied a career-high 25 points twice this season and recorded her first two collegiate double-doubles.
The Federal Way, Washington, native ranks first in the USA South in assists per game (9.0) and second in points (19.5) and steals (3.8). The 5-foot-5 guard is shooting 50.0% on 3-pointers (7 of 14) and 80.8% from the foul line (21 for 26).
HISTORY WITH WESLEYAN AND HUNTINGDON:
LC is riding a 29-game winning streak against the Wolves dating back to the 2003-04 season. The Panthers are 35-2 in the all-time series, holding marks of 18-0 in Mariotti, 16-2 at Wesleyan and 1-0 in neutral-site games.
The Panthers are 23-21 in the rivalry against the Hawks. The two teams split the regular-season series in 2019-20. LC held the fort at home, 59-54, on Jan. 22, and then fell, 57-47, at Huntingdon on Feb. 12. Seven days later, the programs met in the first round of the USA South tournament in Montgomery, Alabama, and the Hawks earned a 58-54 victory.
Assistant Sports Information Director Trevor Wenners can be reached at twenners@lagrange.edu.
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