Rocky Mount, N.C. - The 4th-seeded Panthers of LaGrange College pulled off a 99-87 upset of top-seeded N.C. Wesleyan in Friday's night USA South Tournament semifinal action in Everett Gym. The loss snaps an 11-game winning streak for the Battling Bishops and advances the Panthers to their third straight tourney championship game.
Wesleyan overcame a hot start by LaGrange to forge a 54-39 lead at the break. The Bishops led by 17 early in the second half, 60-43, with 18:08 remaining, but it was then that the Panthers' Drew Vanderbrook caught fire. Vanderbrook, who knocked down five treys in the period, ignited a 21-7 run that got his team to within three, 67-64, with just over 12 minutes left. LaGrange went on to complete the comeback and pull away for the win by out-scoring NCWC 35-20 the rest of the way.
Vanderbrook was one of three Panthers to score 19 points on the night, while LC's Justyn Olsen led all players with 26.
NCWC's Adrian Moore again paced Wesleyan with a team-high 19 points, while freshman Isaiah Alston chipped in 18 off the bench.
The Bishops end the season with a 20-7 overall record.