Need to Know
Score: Piedmont 69, N.C. Wesleyan 77
Records: Lions 10-8 (3-5 USA South), Battling Bishops 12-6 (5-2 USA South)
Location: Rocky Mount, North Carolina - North Carolina Wesleyan College

Rocky Mount, N.C.  - Despite a strong second half comeback, the Piedmont College men's basketball team came up short on Saturday 77-69 against N.C. Wesleyan. The Battling Bishops led throughout the contest but the Lions continued to fight.

N.C. Wesleyan used a 9-0 run over a portion of the opening three minutes of play to break open the game and build a nice lead including hitting back-to-back 3-pointers in that stretch. Piedmont used a JUSTIN VALLEJO layup and the free throw after the foul to cut into the lead and make it a 6-point game with just under 10:00 to go to the break. 

A pair of free throws by CHASE ENGLAND made it a three point game with 3:07 to go until halftime, but at the break, Piedmont trailed 34-23 after a 7-0 run by the Battling Bishops to end the half. Trailing by 11 to open the second period, the Lions surrendered another 3-pointer out of halftime and trailed by 20 with 14:34 remaining in the game.

The Lions got a pair of back-to-back 3-pointers from their hot hand TAYLOR MILLS who cut the lead to 14 after his pair of shots beyond the arc. Shortly after, a 7-0 run by the Lions made it a 10 point game with just over 10:30 to play. 

However, Piedmont could not keep it within reach as the Battling Bishops were ahead by 17 again with 5:16 remaining. Piedmont closed well down the stretch but it was too late to complete the comeback.

The Battling Bishops connected on nine 3-pointers in the game while Piedmont had eight, but seven of the Lions' 3-pointers came in the second half. N.C. Wesleyan scored 17 points off turnovers while Piedmont had just five. 

Turning Point
--A 6-0 run by the Battling Bishops in the second half made it a 20-point lead, their largest of the afternoon and proved to be too much for Piedmont to overcome. 

Standout Performances
--CHRIS MEEKS notched another double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds.
--JUSTIN VALLEJO scored 13 points and CHASE ENGLAND and TRAE GAINES both added 12 points.

Inside the Box Score
--Piedmont saw four players score in double figures in the contest.
--Gaines was 3-of-6 from 3-point range with three of Piedmont's eight 3-pointers. 

News & Notes
--TAYLOR MILLS went perfect from the floor hitting a pair of 3-pointers and a shot from the floor for a total of eight points.

Up Next
Piedmont will return home to begin a three-game home stretch beginning Wednesday, February 3 with Maryville College traveling to Demorest. It will be a double-header with the women beginning at 5:30 p.m. and the men scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.

How to Follow
To stay up to date on all information regarding Piedmont College Athletics, be sure to visit PiedmontLions.com and connect with the Green and Gold on social media. Follow the Lions on Twitter: @PiedmontLions, Instagram: @PiedmontLions, Snapchat: @PiedmontLions and Facebook. To follow each Piedmont athletic program on social media, use the Social Media Directory at PiedmontLions.com or click here.