In the fourth and final game of the 2007 Piedmont College Holiday Classic the host Lions were overcome by the Cougars of Averett University by the score of 75-54 this afternoon in the Johnny Mize Athletic Center. Averett, a preseason top-25 team, finished the tournament as the only team to go 2-0 while Piedmont dropped its third straight decision.

In a first half that featured a pair of lead changes the Lions jumped out on an 8-2 run in the first three minutes. PC increased its advantage to 13-7 before Averett responded with 16-9 run to reclaim the lead for good. AU led by as many as nine in the first frame until SAMUEL COPPAGE hit a three-pointer just before intermission to make the score 39-33.

In the second frame the Cougars defense took over limiting the Lions to a mere 7-27 (26%) from the floor. Piedmont climbed back to make the score 51-47 at the 13:00 minute mark before Averett went on 17-0 run holding the Lions scoreless for nearly eight minutes. Piedmont could get no closer in the final four minutes and dropped the 21-point decision, the second largest margin of the season.

Averett was an impressive 30-60 (50%) from the field and outrebounded the Lions 44-28 including seven second-chance points. Both teams committed 19 turnovers but AU was able to score 15 points off those turnovers compared to the Lions' 12.

JAKE BALDWIN led three teammates in double figures with a game high 17 points. SAMUEL COPPAGE connected on 13 points including a team high three tri-fectas while BRANDEN MAYWEATHER chipped in with 10 points.

PC now moves to 5-6 overall on the season. The Lions will return to the court again on Friday, January 4th as they travel to Lakeland, FL to take on Southeastern University at 6:00.

In the first game of the afternoon, Maryville College was able to hang on and defeat Methodist University 72-69. The Scots turned the ball over with six seconds remaining but when the Monarchs potential game-tying three-pointer bounced off the rim the victory was sealed. Maryville and Methodist both finished the Holiday Classic an even 1-1.

The All-Tournament team was announced at the conclusion of the tournament. Quinn Bradley garnered the honor for Maryville. The senior averaged 11 points per game and connected on six tri-fectas while shooting an impressive 8-12 (75%) from the floor. Antwin Shuford was named for Methodist as the forward averaged a tournament double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Baldwin was named from Piedmont College as the senior led all scorers with a tournament average of 26 points per game while Cory McDaniel represented Averett University with a tournament average of 12.5 points per game and 10 total rebounds.

Click here for the tournament website with complete tournament information.