January 6, 2008
Methodist Defeats LaGrange 77-72
Senior Travis Winstead scored 15 points in the win

LAGRANGE, GA- LaGrange took an early lead in the first half, but Methodist came back to lead by as many as 14 in the second half. The Panthers made a late run, but the Monarchs held on for the 77-72 win. Methodist improves to 7-5 this season while LaGrange drops to 3-10 overall.

LaGrange opened up with a quick 6-2 lead but Methodist stayed with them, exchanging baskets through most of the half. Every time LaGrange would get up, the Monarchs responded. Freshman LeuMichael Smith gave Methodist a four points lead with 2:22 to go in the half, but the Panthers came back down and hit a 3-pointer. Smith scored another layup followed up by a Panther layup. Junior Travis McBryde gave a Methodist another three point lead with a layup, but LaGrange tied the game at 34 with six seconds to go on Demetris Render's fourth 3-pointer of the game. Methodist junior A.B. Lehmann hit a late 3-pointer to give Methodist the three point margin at halftime.

The Monarchs came out strong in the second half building a 12 point lead in the first nine minutes. They extended the lead to 14 with 5:51 on the clock, but LaGrange did not let up. The Panthers slowly chipped away at the lead grabbing a steal and a dunk with 1:20 to go cutting the lead to six. Methodist's Smith hit a jumper to lead by eight and after a missed three, LaGrange was forced to foul. The Panthers hit the second of two free throws to move within seven and Render tipped one in with three seconds to go, but time ran out with Methodist taking the 77-72 win.

Methodist had three players in double figures led by Smith with 16 points. Senior Travis Winstead scored 15 points backed by three 3-pointers while Lehmann scored 10. Junior Antwin Shuford scored nine points and led the team in rebounding with seven boards.

The Monarchs will return to Fayetteville to host Piedmont on Saturday at 4 pm.

Box score