After a furious second half comeback the Piedmont College men's basketball team fell just short this evening in Cave Arena to visiting in-state rival Oglethorpe University by the score of 87-79 in overtime. The Stormy Petrels used a bucket at the end of regulation to send the game into extra time and outscored the home team 15-7 en route to the win.

The Lions (8-13) will return to Cave Arena on Saturday, February 7th as they host Great South Athletic Conference member Huntingdon College at 4:00.

The first half featured six ties and a pair of lead changes and saw the visitors jump out to a 10-2 advantage in the first two minutes. Two minutes later Piedmont answered with an 11-2 run to even the score at 17-17 as JUSTIN RUSH notched seven points. The teams would trade punches down the stretch with OU taking a slim 37-35 lead into intermission.

Halfway through the second frame the Stormy Petrels extended the margin to 54-49. The Lions matched the visitors and trailed 70-66 with just over a minute remaining in regulation. MICHAEL RUBIO stepped up and hit a pair of tri-fectas to give PC a 72-70 lead with seven seconds left. OU answered with a basket to tie the score and the Lions final effort fell just short sending the game into overtime.

After the teams traded points Oglethorpe went on a 7-0 run to take control. The Lions could not overcome the deficit as the Stormy Petrels iced the game at the charity stripe in the final two minutes hitting 6-8 attempts and sealing the eight-point victory.

MICHAEL RUBIO led all scorers with 26 points and six tri-fectas. J.C. HEREBIA added 21 points while JUSTIN RUSH chipped in with 12 points. Todd Ward led OU with a double double of 22 points and 17 rebounds.