GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Greensboro College men's basketball team dropped a heartbreaker to the Panthers of LaGrange College Saturday, 96-95.
 
The Panthers started on fire from the field, making their first nine shots, and took a 12-6 lead before the Pride went on a 9-0 run to take a 22-19 lead of their own. Carmoni Marks recorded an old-fashion three-point play during the run, while Corey Burnette, Darus Maddox and Demetrius Tilley chipped in two points apiece.
 
Following the Greensboro run, LaGrange began to hit their offensive stride once again and produced a 17-4 run that lasted six minutes to jump on top by a 38-29 mark with just under six minutes to play in the half.
 
As time began to run down in the half, Greensboro was able to weather the storm with a 19-7 run to take a 48-45 lead into the break. Joseph Gatling, who finished with a game-high 29 points, fueled the spurt with eight points, while Maddox chipped in seven points.
 
After the intermission, LaGrange was able to establish their largest lead of the contest at 81-67 with 9:01 to play.
 
However, the Pride defense was able to come up big and was able to get some transition baskets to pull within 94-87 with one minute showing on the clock.
 
Over the last minute of play, Greensboro got four points from Carmoni Marks and was able to pull within one point in the final seconds but came up just short.
 
"It really hurts as a team to lose a close game like that," Associate Head Coach Jim Cantamessa said. "The guys rallied together on several occasions today but we just could not pull it out in the end.
 
"We have to rebound back quickly as we have another tough game tomorrow afternoon."
 
Maddox finished with 22 points and five rebounds, while Marks tallied 16 points and a team-leading nine rebounds.
 
The Pride men will return to action at 3 p.m. Sunday when they host the Hawks of Huntingdon College. For more information on Greensboro College men's basketball, continue to follow www.greensborocollegesports.com.