Box Score Demorest, GA -- After a commanding first half by the Lions, Ferrum took over in the second half and pulled out a tight 84-79 USA South win over Piedmont. Freshman
Brian Edwards continued to put points on the board for the Lions scoring 24 in his 9th double-digit performance this year.
Ferrum took an early lead in Cave Arena, putting 13 points on the board to just 3 by the Lions in the first five minutes of play. #33
Trae Gaines snatched a pivotal rebound right off the board at the 14 minute mark leading to an agile
Brian Edwards layup to bring the deficit to six points.
Safari Smith followed up with a slick steal and fast break layup on a foul to continue the rally and with the made free throw, the Lions were within one of the Panthers. Smith wasn't done just yet as he took a defensive rebound all the way through the Panthers defense on a solo fast break to take the lead.
With less than six minutes left in the first half,
Austin Pearson knocked down a three-pointer to put Piedmont at 31 points to Ferrum's 23. The Lions continued on the offensive, taking the lead all the way to 46-36 at halftime.
Two minutes into the second half,
BRIAN EDWARDS matched three-pointers with the Panthers. Much of the second half remained neutral between the teams, with a number of young Lions putting points on the board to match Ferrum's, including
Austin Pearson,
Chase England, and
Jordyn Propst.
Piedmont's lead couldn't last forever though, as Ferrum picked up momentum tying the game with ten left in the half and taking a ten point lead with only six minutes left in the game. Edwards notched a few key free throws to keep the lead close – he would go 7-7 from the foul line in total.
With under a minute to go and a set of missed free throws by the Panthers,
Jordyn Propst tips in an England foul shot to tighten the score to 76-80. Pearson found the courage to hit a long three bringing the Lions within one.
Ferrum pushed back with a layup and set of free throws after a missed Lions chance. The Lions couldn't find the final five points in the last fifteen seconds, falling 84-79 to Ferrum College at the buzzer.
Piedmont is now 6-9 overall and 1-4 in the USA South. Their next matchup will be hosting Averett University this Sunday, January 26th at 3:00 in a conference bout following the women's match.
