Box Score

Memphis, TN -- The Piedmont College men's basketball team used a Will Skaggs three point basket with less than two seconds remaining to pull off a 78-77 victory over the University of Mount Union earlier this afternoon.  The Lions saw their freshman point guard step on to the collegiate stage in a big way as his last-second three pointer gave Piedmont its second consecutive win in the Crowne Plaza Thanksgiving Classic.

Piedmont was the only team to go undefeated in the four-team even which also included Rust College (0-2), Rhodes College (1-1) and Mount Union (1-1).

The Purple Raiders kept the score tight with PC from the opening whistle as the two teams traded the lead 11 times in the first half alone.  Trailing by two with four seconds left until half, it was Skaggs who would give the fans a preview of things to come with a layup in the paint to tie the score at 36 a piece at intermission.

In the second half, Mount Union would lead by as many as nine midway through the period only to see the Lions mount a late rally to set up the heroics.  PC trailed by eight points with under 6:00 to go and trailed by five (75-70) with just 2:45 left. 

A layup by MU's David Pellerite would give the Purple Raiders a two-point lead with just 12 seconds remaining.  Out of a timeout, Piedmont would find an answer just seconds later with the youngster Skaggs draining a three with 1.6 left on the clock to give the Lions a one point win on the road.

Skaggs led all Piedmont scorers with his 21 total points on the day.  The showing was the first 20+ point performance in the young Lion's collegiate career as he also added eight assists to the cause.

Also scoring in double figures was junior Josh Haymore as he dropped 18 on five of ten shooting from the field including going four of seven from three point land.  Leading the way on the boards was Tracey Gardner and Kyle Lundberg who combined for 13 rebounds. 

Gardner also made the most of his opportunities from the field hitting all four of his attempted shots to grab eight points on the day.  Senior Daniel Lampl was also perfect from the floor hitting both of his attempted shots to add five points to the road win. 

It was the style of play that proved to be the overall difference thoughout the game.  Piedmont continued to push the issue offensively employing an up-tempo offensive attack that led to 22 fast break points for the Lions compared to Mount Union's eight they tallied on the break.

The tight victory improves Piedmont to 3-1 on the season.  The Lions will return home to host Greensboro College for a 6:00 game on Wednesday, December 1.