DEMOREST, Ga.—Double-doubles from Taylor Smith and Savannah LeGate and double-digit scoring from Carley Bell were not enough in the season opener for the Oglethorpe women's basketball team. Smith put in 12 points and 13 rebounds, LeGate 12 and 10, and Bell scored 17, but the Stormy Petrels lost to LaGrange 80-72 on Saturday.

The game saw many runs but settled in to a 58-58 tie at the end of the third quarter. Then, a 13-0 run from LaGrange over the first four minutes of the final period sealed it for the Panthers. Bell scored to cut the deficit to nine with just over one minute left, but that would be the closest the Petrels would get in the last five minutes until they scored their last bucket with 12 seconds left.

Smith's 13 rebounds led all rebounders and featured 11 on the defensive end. LeGate tallied 10 rebounds with six coming on the defensive end.

The Petrels indeed put up a great rebounding effort with 59 in all. Four of them tallied five rebounds, including Sydni Donovan who also had five blocks. Emma Perna followed the double-digit scorers with nine points of her own, and Ellie Ronan scored seven.

Up next, Oglethorpe faces Piedmont Sunday at 3 p.m. as it continues its six-game road swing to start the season. The Petrels will be home first on Wednesday, Nov. 24, against Asbury.