Hawks Drop Close Game at LaGrange

LaGrange, Georgia – The Hawks, now 1-19 overall and 0-8 in the CCS fell to the Panthers (14-6, 6-1) in their conference matchup 80-74.

The first three minutes after tip-off both teams were stuck at 5 points until LaGrange was able to go on a 7-0 run to pull ahead (12-5). Freshman, Rashawn Knox ended that run with two made triples to bring the game back within three at the 12 minute mark (14-11). For the next six minutes, the Panthers tried to pull away with the lead getting as large as 10 points after a made jump shot (31-21). Huntingdon continued to fight their way out of the deficit and with two seconds left, leading scorer Nate Johns slammed one through the hoop to bring the score to 37-33 at halftime.

Key First Half Stats:

The Hawks scored 12 of the last 18 points in the half

Rashawn Knox led the Hawks with 11 points

Huntingdon shot 48% from field compared to the Panthers 41%

Huntingdon fought in the first two minutes of the second half to bring the game back within one (39-38). The very next possession Johns lifted the Hawks to their first lead since early in the first half with a made jump shot. Huntingdon held that lead until the 15:40 mark after a LaGrange three (43-42). The next four minutes were claimed by the Panthers 16-3 run to create distance. Down 10 with 5:15 to go, the Hawks battled their way back within single digits and cut the lead to 6 right under the two-minute mark (71-65). Myles Murphy stepped up to contribute to the Hawks scoring by adding two and cutting the lead to 4. Under a minute remaining the Panthers hit a jump shot and went 7-8 from the free-throw line to secure the game.

Key Game Stats:

DaQuan Hawkins went 4-4 from behind the arc

Huntingdon shot 20 less free-throws than the Panthers and the Panthers made 23 points from the line

Panthers converted 19 points off the Hawks 18 turnovers

Stat Leaders for Huntingdon:

#3 Nate Johns – 18 Points

#20 Tate Goolesby – 13 Points, 7 Rebounds

#1 DaQuan Hawkins – 12 Points, 5 Rebounds

The Hawks are back in action in Roland Arena on Friday February 3^rd against Berea College at 7:00 PM CST and Saturday February 4^th vs Maryville College at 4:00 PM CST.