BRIDGEWATER, Va. - Ferrum College jumped out to a quick 18-3 lead and the undefeated Panthers led the rest of the way Tuesday night in a 90-77 victory over the Bridgewater College Eagles.

The Eagles had no answer inside for Ferrum power forward Derek Mitchell. Mitchell scored 24 points and owned the glass with 25 rebounds to lead the Panthers, now 7-0 on the season. Senior guard Keith Crump scored 19 points and Marcus Mayo came off the bench to add 16 points for the Panthers.

Rick Maloney continued his strong play and was the only BC player in double figures with 25 points.

The early 18-3 deficit forced the Eagles to play catch-up the entire night. Bridgewater responded to the early hole with 11 straight points to trail 18-14. A 3-pointer by Cody Griffith and jumpers by Maloney and Malcolm Dickson pulled the Eagles to within 18-10.  A layup by Rashad Moore and another jumper by Maloney made it 18-14 with 11:50 left in the first half.

The Eagles hung around for the rest of the half and two foul shots by Justin Brake with 20 seconds left cut the Ferrum lead to 40-31 at the half.

Bridgewater continued to battle in the second half and still trailed by 10 points, 62-52, when Drew Maynard stroked a 3-pointer with 11:46 to play.

The Panthers then put the game away with a 12-2 run to take a 20-point, 74-54, lead 8:22 left in the game.

Another 3-pointer by Maynard sliced the margin to 12 points, 78-66, with 4:53 left, but the Eagles could get no closer in the final minutes.

The Eagles head to the holiday break with a 4-7 overall record. Bridgewater returns to action Jan. 5 when it hosts Lynchburg College in an ODAC contest. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m.