Box Score FERRUM, Virginia -- The Piedmont women's baskeball team made a late second half push Suday afternoon at Ferrum, but were outlasted by the Panthers by the count of 85-78.  The Lady Panthers placed four players in double-figures en route to their conference high 21st win of the season. 

Ferrum (21-2, 15-1 USA South) controlled the tempo early in thefirst half, going on a 15-2 run leading up to the the 10 minute mark.  Piedmont would rally back with a 9-0 run of their own, to cut the Lady Panthers lead to 7 (28-21) with 8:05 left in the first frame.  Ferrum managed to push back against the Lions in the final minutes of the first half to take a 46-31 lead at the break. 

The Lions were able to cut the Panthers lead to 3-points with 4:36 left in the second half with superb shooting from beyond the arc, going 7-14 (50%) from 3-point range in the first 16 minutes of the second half.  The Panthers would answer the Lions late second half scoring push with an 8-0 run of their own that was capped by a Jacole Hairston layup with 3:11 left to play.  Despite being outscored 47-39 in the second half, Ferrum would hold off Piedmont in the closing minutes of the game to come away with the 85-78 victory.

Second-chance points and rebounding would prove to be the difference in the game as Ferrum outrebounded Piedmont 51-29 and came away with 16 second-chance points to Piedmont's 4

LAUREN HAMEL posted a game-high 23 points for the Lions to go along with 6 steals and 5 assists.  MARY KATE RUSHTON was also in double-figures for the Lions, posting 16 points, all of which came in the second half.  Rushton, who had been recovering from an injury, came off the bench to record five second half three-pointers.  

Ferrum was led in scoring by Jacole Hairston, who ended the game with 19 points.  Shea Smith recorded 17 points while Tesla Akers posted 16.  Kylene Culler also chipped in with 12 points for the Lady Panhers. 

Piedmont (9-13, 5-11 USA South) will be back in action this Friday, February 15, at Meredith College in Raleigh, North Carolina. Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM.