GEORGETOWN - The Southwestern University men's lacrosse team and Birmingham-Southern combined for 34 goals on a cool Friday night at Varsity Field, but it was too much Panther offense as they pulled away in the second half for a 20-14 win over the Pirates.

The two teams were even in shots at 39 a piece despite 28 turnovers by the Panthers. BSC picked up 55 ground balls to Southwestern's 33 and dominated the face off battle, going 26 of 37 on the night.

Southwestern jumped out to an early 3-1 lead thanks to a pair of goals by junior Kai Knight-Turcan as well as a goal from senior Matt Amerie. However, BSC closed the first period with three golas in the final two minutes for a 4-3 lead.

They took that momentum into the second quarter, scoring the first three goals to make it a 7-3 game. Back-to-back goals by juniors Nathan Heaviland and Jared Welsh cut the deficit to two, but BSC scored two of the final three goals to take a 9-6 lead into the break.

The teams traded goals throughout much of the third quarter with BSC still leading by three with under four minutes to play. However, the Panthers closed the quarter strong again, scoring three consecutive goals in just over a minute to move ahead 16-10. 

Down 17-11 in the final period, Welsh, Amerie, and freshman Zac Asbury started a rally for SU, as they scored three straight goals to make it a 17-14 game. However, BSC used yet another strong finish as they scored the game's final three goals for a 20-14 win.

Amerie led the Pirates with three goals while Welsh added two goals and five assists. Knight-Turcan and Asbury each had two goals and an assist while junior Logan Spalding scored a pair. Junior Everett Barger had two assists.

Sophomore Bailey Middleton had six caused turnovers and five ground balls while sophomore Tanner Wallace had three caused turnovers and three ground balls. Seniors Parker Rankin and Sean Smith each had five ground balls. Junior Kyle Kuberski had eight saves in goal while freshman Patrick Sinclair had two in the final 18 minutes.

BSC was led by Carter Watkins and Davis Thompson who each had five goals and three assists. Peyton Taylor added four goals. Matt Quill got the win in goal with 11 saves.

Southwestern goes to 2-4 and will look to bounce back on Sunday as they welcome in Whittier at 12 PM.