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Demorest, GA -- The Piedmont College men's basketball team held an early lead but could not hold on as visiting Methodist University walked out of the Cave with a 66-61 win earlier this afternoon.  The Lions were outshot by the Monarchs from the field 46.3% to 36.5% as Methodist clung to a five point lead late to pick up their first win of the 2010-11 season.

Piedmont was first out the gate as a Tracey Gardner jumper five minutes in gave the home team a seven point lead at 12-5.  After a three pointer from junior guard Josh Haymore pushed the Lion lead to eight just a few minutes later, it was the Monarchs' turn to make a run which they did coming all the way back to grab a three point lead with time winding down in the first half.

Coming back from the intermission, Piedmont quickly knotted the score up once more on another Haymore strike from behind the arc tying the game at 37-37.  However, after a Gardner basket gave the Lions the lead just 40 seconds later, Methodist would make another push to ensure that Piedmont would not again hold an advantage the rest of the day.

With the score tied at 46 and 13:21 to play in the game, the visiting Monarchs went on a 13-1 run over the next five minutes to all but erase the hope of a win for the home team.  Though the Lions were not yet done as the team would close to within three on a jumper from Daniel Lampl with under a minute to play, Methodist responded on their next possession to hold on for the five point victory.

Gardner was the story on the day for the Lions going for 16 points on six of 13 shooting from the field.  The junior from Gainesville, GA also pulled down eight boards to once again lead the team in rebounding, a feat he has accomplished in five of six games in 2010-11. 

The junior Haymore was the second Lion to score in double digits this afternoon tallying 13 points shooting just under 50% from the field while going a perfect four for four at the charity stripe.  Freshman Will Skaggs added nine points to the cause while also giving six assists and collecting a trio of steals.

Sophomore forward Josh Chapman chipped in seven points while newcomer Kevin Kubandi threw in eight more of his own to go along with a pair of helpers. 

The loss drops Piedmont to 4-3 on the season.  The Lions will pause for fall semester finals before traveling to Lookout Mountain, GA to take on the Scots of Covenant College on Thursday, December 9 in a 7:00 contest.