The Piedmont College men's basketball team came out firing on all cylinderts this afternoon and rolled to a 93-83 victory over south region foe Methodist University at Cave Arena. The Lions shot an impressive 51% from the floor including 9-16 (56%) from behind the arc en route to the win.

The visitors took an early advantage and held an 11-7 lead with 15 minutes remaining. Freshman MIKE CHATMAN came off the bench and provided a spark leading the Lions to an 11-0 run with eight points and an assist. The men never relenquished the lead and entered the half with a 41-32 advantage, the largest lead of the first frame.

After a Monarch three-pointer to open the second half the Lions scored the next seven points as junior MICHAEL RUBIO provided five points and an assist. After MU cut the lead to 59-52 with 12 minutes remaining the home team went on a 14-4 run to regain control of the action.

PC's lead reached its largest at 80-62 and the Monarchs never got within single digits for the remainder of regulation. Of the final 12 points, 10 came from junior SAMUEL COPPAGE who sealed the win at the charity stripe.

Coppage led five Lions in double figures with a game high 27 points including an impressive 17-19 from the free-throw line. Fellow guard MICHAEL RUBIO closely followed with 23 points with a game-high seven tri-fectas. MIKE CHATMAN posted 11 points off the bench while J.C. HEREBIA and JUSTIN RUSH chipped in with 11 points respectively.

The victory avenges an 80-64 early-season loss to the Monarchs on November 29 in Fayetteville, NC.

The Lions will return to action again on Monday, January 5th as they host non-conference foe Pensacola Christian College at Cave Arena beginning at 7:00.