ATLANTA- In a close nail-biting game in the second matchup of the season against LaGrange College, the Oglethorpe women's basketball team fell for the first time this season, recording a 72-69 loss Tuesday night. Marlie Battle led the team with 24 points, five rebounds, and two steals. Keimarya Rivera followed with 22 points and six rebounds.
The Petrels had a slow offensive start to the game, allowing the Panthers to have a lead as large as five points in the first quarter, an uncharacteristic start for Oglethorpe. After help from Sheraton Foster, the offense began to take wind and gained a lead in the second quarter with the score at 24-19.
The third quarter was the Petrels' best display by far. After a drained step-up 3-pointer by Malia Melton and an additional three from Rivera, the Petrels posted great numbers from the field, shooting 6-12 (50%), and tallying perfect numbers from the 3-point line. The team was also perfect from the free-throw line, shooting 3/3. However, these offensive numbers did not outweigh the strength of the Panthers as the score for the third ended in a deficit for the Petrels at 60-48.
Looking for last-minute efforts, Battle drained a three to start off the fourth quarter. Briley Elder and Anna Conza followed suit and made back-to-back threes putting the score at 67-62, allowing the Petrels to inch closer to tying the score. Running out of time, the Stormy Petrels could not find their rhythm and closed the game out at 72-69. Overall, the team managed to tie the game six times, but could not hold the lead as long as they needed to.
Game Notes
- This was the second matchup between Oglethorpe and LaGrange this season. Oglethorpe won the previous matchup 56-51 at LaGrange.
- Battle set a career high of points, tallying 24.
- Elder recorded a season high of two assists.
- Battle took on the court with her sister, LaGrange senior guard Laila Battle.
Up Next
The Petrels are at home again on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at 6 p.m. to take on their first Southern Athletic Association opponent, conference rival Berry College.