Action Photos

FERRUM, Va. -- LaGrange College opened a 13-point lead less than four minutes into the game before cruising to a 98-78 USA South Athletic Conference men's basketball win over Ferrum College this afternoon at Swartz Gymnasium.

Ferrum cut the lead to three points twice just before halftime, but trailed 46-40 at the break. LaGrange opened the second half with a 20-8 run to take a 66-48 lead when Nick Mitchell made one of two free throws at the 11:50 mark. Ferrum closed the gap to 68-55 on a Jacob Young jumper with nine minutes left to play, but that was as close as Coach Bill Tharp's team would get.

Denzel Robinson had 22 points and 12 rebounds for LaGrange (9-6, 3-1 USA South). Nick Mitchell added 21 points, and Patrick Duggar had 14 points and 10 rebounds. Ferrum got 14 points each from Tyler Mann and Jamal Pullen. Brian Clarke added 11 points in the loss, while Alek Ayer chipped in 10 points and six rebounds.

Ferrum shot 40% from the floor, to LaGrange's 49%. LaGrange shot 38% from behind the arc, including Robinson's 5-6 spree from long range. LaGrange won the battle of the boards, closing with a 49-28 edge, including 18 offensive rebounds.

Ferrum (5-10, 1-4 USA South) returns to action Friday, Jan. 24, at Piedmont College. The USA South doubleheader gets underway at 5:30 p.m. with the women's game, and the men's game to follow immediately.