LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, Ga. - Junior guard Mark Wagner helped LaGrange turn back Covenant 86-81 in a USA South game Wednesday. The second straight win for the Panthers upped their season record to 9-6 and conference mark to 3-2.

Wagner poured in a game-high 22 points, shooting 6-of-10 from 3-point range. He entered the night having scored a total of 20 points and making just three treys in his last three games.

Nick Mitchell followed Wagner with 15 points. Braxton Ford had 12 points and Jordan Johnson 11 coming off the bench.

The Panthers shot 50.9 percent in the game, making 8-of-17 3-pointers. The Panthers forced 23 Covenant (4-12, 3-4 USA South) turnovers, 14 in the first half in taking a 47-35 lead.

Donta Daniel's basket gave the Panthers a 53-39 lead less than four minutes into the second half. 

The Scots began to chip away at the deficit, finally catching the Panthers, then taking a 79-75 lead with 3:27 remaining.

Justyn Olson hit a jumper to get the Panthers within two, 79-77. After making a steal at the defensive end, Olson hit a pair of free throws to tie the game at 79.

Wagner hit his final 3-pointer to put the Panthers ahead to stay, 82-79. He added two free throws on the next possession for an 84-79 lead with 52 seconds left.

Covenant cut the lead to three, 84-81, with 23 seconds showing. Ford iced the game with two free throws with 19 seconds remaining for the 86-81 final.

The Panthers stay on the road for USA South games at William Peace on Saturday and N.C. Wesleyan on Sunday.