Trevor West's basket with three seconds left lifted Averett (9-5, 3-1 USA South) to a 69-68 win over LaGrange in a USA South battle Saturday in Mariotti Gym.

West's heroics spoiled a comeback by the Panthers (7-6, 1-2 USA South) in the final minutes. The Panthers trailed 67-62 after the Cougars' Carter Jones scored with 1.58 left.

Nick Mitchell, who led all scorers with 18 points, fueled the Panthers' come back with three straight baskets.

Averett was clinging to a 67-66 lead after Mitchell's second basket. West came down the floor and had his shot blocked by Jordan Johnson. 

Justyn Olson got the rebound and whipped a pass upcourt to Mitchell, who drove through the lane to put the Panthers up 68-67 with 13 seconds left.

The Cougars quickly brought the ball down court. West drove past one defender and hit a short jumper with just three seconds left for a 69-68 lead. Olson's desperation shot  from just inside half court was off the mark.

The game was tied on nine occasions and the lead changed hands 15 times.

In the first half, the Panthers took a quick nine point lead. A 10-0 run put the Cougars up for the first time, 20-19.

Tyler Langston's three-point shot put the Panthers up 32-30 with 23 seconds left in the half. West hit a pair of free throws to tie the game at 32 at halftime.

Olson followed Mitchell with 14 points, while Alex Bonner had 10.

The Panthers host Ferrum on Sunday in a USA South game at 1 p.m.