In an absolutely thrilling game that needed overtime to decide a winner the Lions dropped a heartbreaking loss to visiting Sewanee-University of the South tonight by the score of 89-88 in PC's Johnny Mize Athletic Center. With each period being decided by less than a basket Piedmont fell just short in overtime and lost to the Tigers for the second time in 11 days.
In the first half that featured five ties the Lions started the game on a 20-12 run just five minutes in. Sewanee rallied back and eventually tied the score at 40-40 with just over four minutes remaining in the first clip. The Tigers finished the first half on an 8-6 run to carry a slim two-point led into intermission.
In the second frame Sewanee extended its lead to a game-high 11 point margin and led 64-53 with 14 minutes remaining. The Lions chipped away with an 8-2 run over the next three minutes and then added a 15-10 run to get within two points.
With less than a minute to go senior
JAKE BALDWIN connected on a three-pointer to tie the teams at 83-83. After a shot clock violation by the Tigers the Lions inbounded the ball the length of the floor but the three-pointer fired at the buzzer bounced off the backboard sending the game into overtime.
In the overtime period the lead changed twice with PC holding its final lead of the game at 85-84. Sewanee answered with four points before senior
WESLEY PARKER connected with a pair of free throws getting the Lions within one.
After the Tigers made one of two free throws Baldwin was fouled as time expired and stood on the line with Piedmont down two points. The first free throw found the back of the net but the second fell inches short giving Sewanee the one-point victory.
Baldwin led four Lions in double figures with a game high 29 points.
MICHAEL RUBIO tallied 20 points including 4-7 from the three-point line while
BRANDEN MAYWEATHER and
SAMUEL COPPAGE added 16 and 10 points respectively.
The loss drops PC to 4-3 overall. The Lions will return to the hardwood again on Saturday, December 8th when they travel to local rival Toccoa Falls College in Toccoa, GA with tip-off slated for 4:00.
