LaGrange got clutch play down the stretch to beat Covenant 76-69 on Thursday in Mariotti Gym in the first of a two-game USA South series. The Panthers improved to 5-2 overall and in conference play with their fourth straight win. The two teams play again Saturday at Covenant beginning at 4 p.m.

"Covenant is a tough team and well coached. I just felt like we were ready to go get them tonight," said Coach Kendal Wallace. "We had big shots from (Ronald) Youngblood and (Julian) Cameron in the final minutes. We did a real good job defensively and I was pleased with our effort."

Youngblood had a game-high 21 points, 10 coming in the final six minutes. Cameron and Lincoln Anderson finished with 13 points each. Bershard Edwards had 12 points, all coming from 3-point range. The Panthers had a season-high 10 treys in the game, shooting 45.5% from beyond the arc. 

The Panthers held the Scots (7-5, 3-2 USA South) to just 3-of-16 on 3-point shooting in the game. LC was also 14-of-16 at the free throw line, while the Scots were 2-of-3.

LC led 35-29 at halftime. Edwards opened the second half with a trey and a layup by Anderson gave the Panthers their biggest lead, 40-29. Covenant answered with a 14-2 run take the lead for the first time in the game. Will Crumly, who led the Scots with 18 points, scored inside to put the Scots up 43-42. Cameron's 3-pointer gave LC back the lead, 45-43, with 12:23 left. Over the next eight minutes, the lead changed five times and the score was tied on seven occasions. 

Youngblood hit 3-pointers off assists from Porter Law on back-to-back possessions, the second giving LC a 62-58 lead. The Scots tied the game at 62 with 4:22 left. 

But Youngblood drove the lane twice to put LC ahead to stay. Edwards drained his final trey of the game to put the Panthers up 69-62 with 1:30 remaining. The Panthers went 7-of-8 at the free throw line in the final minute to keep the Scots at bay. Leading 72-69, Anderson and Drew Shepherd each hit a pair of free throws for the 76-69 final score.

LC scored the first nine points of the game. Cameron hit a jumper in the lane on the Panthers' first possession. Youngblood followed with a jumper, then Edwards hit his first 3-pointer. Youngblood hit a pair of free throws to make it 9-0 four minutes into the game. The Scots finally got on the board on a layup by Brady Palmer. 

Covenant caught the Panthers at 21 with 6:42 left in the half. Edwards' 3-pointer broke the tie to regain the lead for LC. Anderson Completed a three-point play to give the Panthers a 35-29 lead at the break. LC shot only 39.4% in the half, but outscored the Scots 12-3 from 3-point range.

The Panthers broke a four-game losing streak to the Scots with the win.