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Demorest, GA -- The Piedmont College women's basketball team earned its second win of 2010-11 defeating the Stormy Petrels of Oglethorpe University 67-44 earlier this evening in the Cave in a home opener.  Care of a double-double performance from veteran Shanice Wheeler, Piedmont used an offensive surge late in the first half to handle their cross-state rival from Atlanta, GA.

From the opening tip, the game looked as though the decision would come down to the wire as the lead continued to trade hands throughout much of the first half.  After the Stormy Petrels took a two point lead on a made free throw, the Lady Lions would then rip off a 23-3 run sparked by an Alyssa Jones jumper to take a 35-17 lead at the half.

After the break, Piedmont would push its lead to 20 off a Cassie Billingsley layup with 16:35 remaining and continue to pour it on never again allowing their lead to dip to single digits.  Key to PC's suffocating attack was the inspired play of junior guard Shanice Wheeler who tallied eight points to go with four steals and assists during Piedmont's 23 point explosion to end the first half.

Wheeler's 13 total points and 11 total rebounds help send PC to the 67-44 win over Oglethorpe, but it was the way the guard collected her points that impressed the fans.  Coming off the bench for 23 minutes of action, the Kennesaw, GA native missed just a single shot from the field going four for five as well as a perfect four of four from the free throw line.

Classmate Sada Wheeler joined in the effort also collecting 11 boards to go along with her eight points on the evening while local sophomore standout Lauren Anderson added eight more to the total as well.  Freshman Lauren Hamel once again was atop the scoring list for the Lady Lions earning 12 points on six for ten shooting in just her third collegiate contest.

As a team, Piedmont's shooting started to heat up in the second half as the squad mangaged to hit 37.9% compared to its first half mark of 30 even.  Defensively was where the Lady Lions made a difference holding their opponent to 21% shooting on the night.

The win improves the Lady Lions to 2-1 overall while Piedmont claims its first victory over a school from the state of Georgia in its first try on the season.  The Lady Lions will relax for the Thanksgiving break before coming back to the Cave on Saturday, November 27 for a 2:00 game with Greensboro College.