Hawks Drop to LaGrange

Montgomery, Alabama – The Hawks (2-9 overall, 2-3 in the CCS) fell to LaGrange College (9-4 overall, 3-1 in the CCS) 64-51 in the Collegiate Conference of the South matchup.

The Hawks started hot with a 3-0 run by AB Davis that was answered by a Panther three. Huntingdon pushed the ball for another layup and a pair of free-throws but would only be able to hit one, giving three-point advantage. LaGrange fired back with another made three to tie the game at 6 with five minutes left to play in the first quarter. The Panthers took their first lead with three minutes left in the first and went on a 8-0 run until the Hawks were able to add some free-throws in the final minute. (17-8) In the second quarter the Panthers began with a 9-4 run in the first 5 minutes of the quarter. After that, the Hawks went on a scoring spree that began with a pair of free-throws from senior, Alina Shoemake. The Hawks 8-0 run brought them back within four points with a score of 26-22. LaGrange ended their scoring drought with a made layup to push the lead back to six. Hawks continued to attack with another made free-throw and layup (28-25). In the final five seconds Briana McGruder scored in the paint to give the Hawks the momentum heading into halftime down one (28-27).

Key First Half Notes:

The Hawks were only able to score two field goals in the first quarter, shooting 18% and going 0-6 from three.

Hawks had 12 Turnovers and the Panthers converted 19 points off the turnovers.

Sophomore Briana McGruder had 9 of the Hawks 19 points in the second quarter.

The Hawks increased their shooting percentage to 50% for the second quarter and outscored the Panthers 19-11.

To start the second half, freshman Erica Rodriguez drained a three that gave the Hawks the lead (30-28). The Panthers answered to tie the game and both teams battled point for point until the six minute mark when LaGrange took the lead again (35-32). Huntingdon could not find a bucket as the Panthers went on a run led by free-throws. Seven of the Panthers sixteen points in the third quarter came from the free-throw line, while the Hawks shot none. To begin the fourth, the Hawks were down ten, 44-34. Despite attacking and getting the to foul line, Huntingdon was unable to bring the game within any more than nine points.

Key Second Half Notes:

The Hawks shot 20% from the field in the third quarter and were outscored 16-7.

LaGrange snagged 7 offensive rebounds in the third quarter.

Nine of the Hawks 17 points in the fourth quarter came from the free-throw line as the Hawks shot 25% from the field.

AB Davis led the fourth quarter with 10-points and five rebounds.

Stat Leaders for Huntingdon:

#15 AB Davis – 13 Points, 6 Rebounds

#4 Kinstin Davis – 10 Points, 9 Rebounds

#35 Briana McGruder – 9 Points, 6 Rebounds

The Hawks travel to Berea College and Maryville College this weekend on January 14^th and 15^th to take on the Mountaineers and Scots at 1:00PM CST both days.