Box Score | Photo Gallery

Demorest, GA -- In the first game of the new decade the Piedmont College men's basketball team scored a NCAA-era school record 73 second half points to run away from USA-South member Methodist University this afternoon at Cave Arena by the score of 111-90. The Lions saw five players reach double figures in the highest scoring output of the program's last 63 games.

The men opened the game with an 8-0 run that spanned four and a half minutes and included a pair of tri-fectas. After building a 20-11 lead the visiting Monarchs roared back with 10-0 run to knot the score with six minutes remaining.

After the Lions took control with a 31-25 lead with four minutes to go Methodist ended the frame in a 16-7 run including five points in the final 40 seconds to take a 41-38 advantage into intermission.

In the second half Piedmont came out with an 8-2 mini run to regain the lead. The final lead change of the contest came six minutes into the period as part of 13-5 run in which Josh Haymore posted eight points including a pair from behind the arc.

The Lions continued the onslought of offense and led by as many as 25 down the stretch. For the second half the home team hit 20-26 (77%) from the floor and 5-9 (56%) from behind the three-point line.

Piedmont also cashed in from the charity stripe as the team made good on 42 of 60 free throw attempts including 28-43 in the second half.  The two teams combined for 64 fouls and 91 free throw attempts. 

Senior Michael Rubio posted a career high 31 points including 17-19 (90%) from the charity stripe. #J.C. Herebia added 14 points in only 17 minutes of work while Mike Chatman# and Josh Haymore added 13 points respectively. #Tracey Gardner# narrowly missed a double-double with 12 points and eight rebounds.

For the game the Lions forced 21 turnovers that led to 32 points. The squad converted 29-50 (58%) of its attempts from the floor and knocked down 11-25 (44%) from behind the arc.

The victory moves Piedmont to 7-4 overall and 2-1 at home in Cave Arena. The men will return to the hardwood again on Tuesday, January 5th as they play host to visiting North Carolina Wesleyan College at 4:00.