Emory built a large second-half lead and went on to an 80-67 win over LaGrange on Tuesday at Mariotti Gym. The loss left the Panthers 1-1 on the season, while the Eagles improved to 2-0.

Freshman Elizabeth Williams tied for game honors with Emory’s Lora Turner with 20 points.

Williams hit 8-of-9 shots from the floor with five rebounds and four assists. Fellow freshman Stefanie Schuck had 11 points off the bench, while Valeree Williams had 10.

Emory shot almost 61 percent from the floor in the second half, finishing the game at 46.2 percent. The Panthers shot 44.4 percent in the game, but only made 5-of-21 3-point attempts. The Panthers also made only 6-of-16 at the free throw line.

The Panthers fell behind 19-12 with 9:45 left in the first half. Cameren Farr's 3-pointer started a 14-4 run by the Panthers over the next four minutes. A layup by Williams and a free throw from Concetta Grissom tied the game at 22. Schuck scored off an assist from Farr to put the Panthers up 26-23.

Emory regained the lead for good when Mary Smith hit a 3-pointer for a 28-26 lead with 4:15 left in the half. Schuck's 3-pointer got the Panthers within five, 35-30, before the Eagles took a 37-30 lead at halftime.

Williams opened the second half for the Panthers with a 3-pointer to make it 37-33. The Panthers got as close as four one more time after a jumper by Grissom with 16 minutes left. Emory answered with a 20-4 spurt over the next four minutes to build a 59-39 lead. The Eagles had their largest lead, 68-45, with seven minutes left in the game.

The Panthers were able to cut the lead down the stretch. Melissa Mora's free throw got the Panthers within 13, 73-60, with 2:54 left. Williams scored with 32 seconds left to make it 78-67, before LeShond Lillard closed out the game with a pair of free throws.

The Panthers are on the road Friday at Southeastern in Lakeland, Fla. and Saturday at Clearwater Christian in Clearwater, Fla.