Second half surge carries LaGrange past Salem 100-70

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LaGrange College stayed perfect for the season with a 100-70 Great South Athletic Conference win over Salem College on Sunday at Mariotti Gym. The Panthers improved to 6-0 overall and 2-0 in GSAC play. Salem slipped to 1-5 overall and 1-2 in conference play.

The Panthers had four players in double figures. Elizabeth Williams tied for game honors with 17 points. Katie Covington had 16 points, Heather Miller 15 and Summer Bush 14.

Shamaz Denerson had 17 points for Salem. Kelsey Rector added 14 points, while Jo Jo Hall and Racheal Salmons each had 10.

The Panthers were 34-of-42 at the free throw line in the game. The Panthers hit 25-of-29 free throws in the second half.

The Panthers held a 64-56 lead with 9:17 remaining in the game. The Panthers doubled their lead to 16, 74-58, with a 10-2 run. Miller made six free throws and had an assist in the run.

Salem cut the lead back to 10, 74-64, with seven minutes remaining. The Panthers outscored the Spirits 26-6 the rest of the way.

The Panthers scored their last 14 points in a one minute spurt. Bush hit a pair of 3-pointers and scored off a layup. Caroline Brashier's 3-pointer got the Panthers to the century mark.

In the first half, Salem led 17-6 midway through the first half. The Panthers bounced back to take a 34-33 lead at halftime, despite shooting 30.6 percent in the half.

The Panthers reached the century mark in a game for the second straight game, after defeating Wesleyan 100-56 on Thursday. It is the first time ever the Panthers have reached the century mark in back-to-back-games.

The Panthers play at Meredith (N.C.) on Dec. 16.