Box Score

Toccoa, GA - Despite holding a seven point lead at the half, the Lions couldn't close out Saturday evening's game at Toccoa Falls College, falling to the local rivals 73-70.  Piedmont had beaten the Eagles 107-59 in the season-opener, but clearly the home team made adjustments from the last time out, holding Piedmont to just 13-percent shooting from beyond the arc.  Despite being out-rebounded and turning the ball over more often than the Lions, TFC had three things going for them in the narrow win: home court, a one-man wrecking crew in freshman Josh Barrett and Piedmont struggling with outside shots.

Barrett was seemingly impossible to stop, going for 36 points and 10 rebounds, connecting on four triples, which were all heavily contested, and converting on 16 out of 21 free throws.  The TFC freshman sensation also added three helpers and two steals as part of his stat line.  The Lions were led by Jessie Jenkins and his seventh double-double of his freshman campaign, scoring a team-high 12 points while hauling in 15 rebounds and two assists.  Sophomore Tyler Arnold nearly added his own double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds, as he added two assists and four steals in the process.  Freshman Richarson Myrthil was the only other Lions player to reach double figures with 10 points.

The initial meeting between the two teams back in November saw the men cruise to an easy 48-point win, go out in front early and pull away throughout the game.  This time the Eagles kept pace throughout the first half, never giving Piedmont an opportunity to pull away. Barrett had a solid first half, while teammate Danny Snyder provided a boost with a highlight dunk late in the half.

Piedmont's offense was decent in the opening half, but was held to just one trey in that time. Things didn't improve much in the second stanza, with the away team notching just two tri-fectas the rest of the way.  All Toccoa had to do was put the ball in the hands of Barrett, who scored in the paint, from downtown and at the charity stripe.  The second half saw him explode and take over, as he drained long range baskets with hands in his face, drew contact on shots inside, and took full advantage of free throw attempts.

The Lions clung to a slim lead throughout most of the contest before surrendering late and falling behind with just a few minutes to go.  They kept within one possession often and trailed by no more than seven, but closed the gap in the closing seconds.  However, once they pulled within two in the final second, Barrett hit a clutch free throw to go up three.  He missed the back end, but the rebound by Arnold gave him no time to throw one downcourt.  The buzzer sounded before he heaved up a prayer from full court, which missed.  Piedmont moves to 3-12 on the season and return to the court against Berry College Tuesday at 7:00 pm in non-conference action.  Piedmont previously beat the Vikings 91-65 on Jan. 8.