LAGRANGE, Ga. – Playing in the Collegiate Conference of the South (CCS) championship game for the first time in school history, the LaGrange College women's basketball team prevailed 69-62 against visiting Belhaven University on Saturday at the Mariotti Gymnasium in LaGrange, Georgia.
THE BASICS
Score: #2 Belhaven 62, #1 LaGrange 69
Records: Panthers 20-7, 15-2 CCS | Blazers 19-7, 11-6 CCS
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Up 31-28 at halftime, the Panthers took a 50-49 lead into the fourth quarter. Down 52-50 after a Belhaven three-pointer, LaGrange went on an 8-0 run capped off with a layup from freshman guard Mya Anderson (Jones County, Ga.) with 6:20 to go to surge back into the lead. Belhaven pulled to within three with 40 seconds remaining but the Panthers would answer again with a layup from senior power forward Amanda Mclendon (Orlando, Fla.) where she drew the foul for an and-one opportunity. After Mclendon missed her free throw, freshman guard Deasia Stinson (Newnan, Ga.) was there for the putback, putting the game out of reach.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- As she has all season, senior guard Laila Battle (Smyrna, Ga.), the 2025-2026 CCS Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, led the Panthers, scoring a team-high 26 points with eight rebounds, two steals and two blocks playing all 40 minutes. Battle was named the CCS Tournament MVP for her performance.
- Mclendon posted her ninth double-double of the season with 16 points, 13 boards and two blocks. Mclendon earned All-Tournament team honors for her performance.
- Stinson chipped in six points and five rebounds, joining Battle and Mclendon on the All-Tournament team.
- Second-chance proved decisive as the Panthers took an 18-9 edge.
- Belhaven senior guard Veronica Williams (Philadelphia, Miss.) led the Blazers with 20 points, four rebounds and six steals in 40 minutes. She was joined on the All-Tournament team by teammate senior guard Katelyn Coleman (Mound Bayou, Miss.) who added 11 points and three rebounds.
UP NEXT
- With their conference championship, LaGrange has qualified for the NCAA Tournament. They'll find out where they are headed on Monday during the Selection show at 2:30 p.m.
For continuing coverage of LaGrange College Athletics, visit lagrangepanthers.com and follow the Panthers on Instagram ( @lagrange_panthers ), Twitter ( @lcpanthers ) and Facebook ( LaGrange Panthers ).
