BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Jay Gillispie recorded a career-high in points and rebounds but it was not enough as Birmingham-Southern fell to LaGrange 88-84. Gillispie recorded 21 points and 21 rebounds, the first 20-20 game for a Panther since Alex Avery during the 2015-16 season.

Both teams started off scorching hot shooting the ball. Birmingham-Southern shot 4-7 while LaGrange made their first six shots with their only miss being a free throw in the opening four minutes of the game. The two teams would battle back and forth all half. Neither team led by more than two possessions at either point after the under-16 minute media timeout.

The two teams were tied at 23 a piece half way through the opening period. LaGrange went on a 6-0 run and after BSC responded with a 7-2 run and was down one. The Panthers took the lead down the stretch of the first half and found themselves with a slim one point lead at halftime. 

Again it was a battle for a majority of the second half with 10 lead changes throughout the half. In the middle stretch of the half BSC was unable to hit some key free throws and LaGrange would capitalize on that taking the lead and extending it by as much as 11. 

BSC went on a 10-0 run over 2:03 of game time to pull within one of LaGrange with 40 seconds remaining. Birmingham-Southern had a chance all the way down to the end but was unable to hit a key three to tie and force overtime and would fall 88-84. LaGrange hit a free throw late in the game after BSC called a timeout without having any, resulting in a technical foul.

Records
Birmingham-Southern 5-3 overall (1-0 SAA), LaGrange 5-2 CCS

Up next
The Panthers will travel to Demorest, Ga. on Saturday, Dec. 3 as they take on Piedmont. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m.