LaGrange opened its 2014-15 home schedule with a 106-91 win over Berry in Mariotti Gym on Wednesday. The Panthers, led by Nick Mitchell, had six players in double figures.

Mitchell led the Panthers with 23 points, 16 coming in the second half. Mark Wagner had 15 of his 17 points in the first half. Adolphus Ford and Justyn Olson each had 12, with Donta Daniel and Mike White adding 11 each.

Both teams shot the ball well in the game. The Panthers shot 60 percent in the first half and finished at 57.4 percent. Berry (0-3) had 54.1 percent shooting in the game.

The difference in the game was at the free throw line. The Panthers were 32-of-42 at the line, while the Vikings were 18-of-23.

The Panthers forced 32 Viking turnovers in the game, resulting in 40 points.

The Panthers raced out to a 19-5 lead five minutes into the game.  They forced eight turnovers during the stretch, with Olson ending the run with a steal and a layup at the other end.

Berry chipped away at the Panthers' lead the rest of the half. Caleb Johnson, who led all scorers with 28 points, hit a 3-pointer at the end of the half to get the Vikings within five points, 50-45.

Johnson's trey early in the second half put the Vikings up 58-54. But two baskets by Daniel sandwiched around a pair of free throws put the Panthers ahead to stay, 60-58.

The Panthers finished the 14-point run with another steal and layup from Olson to make 68-58 with 14:17 left.

Mitchell took over with the Panthers clinging to a one point lead, 75-74, with 8:35 remaining. The senior scored 12 of his 16 second half points down the stretch. 

In the final four minutes, the Panthers pulled away, making 11-of-12 at the free throw line. Ford closed out the scoring with a layup for the 106-91 final.

Olson and Braxton Ford each had four steals in the game. Jordan Johnson had four blocks, while Mitchell had a game-high nine rebounds.

The Panthers host Pensacola Christian on Saturday at 4 p.m.