Need to Know
Score: Piedmont 83, Toccoa Falls 77
Records: Lions 7-7, 2-2 USA South, Screaming Eagles 5-6
Location: Toccoa, Georgia - Toccoa Falls College

Toccoa, GA - Just a little over a month after the first meeting between these two in the 2016-17 season, the Piedmont College men's basketball team handled business on the road knocking off Toccoa Falls College 83-77 to complete the season sweep. It was a complete team effort as the Lions had 14 players earn four minutes or more in the game.

It was a tight game over the first five minutes as the two matched each other shot for shot with a fast break layup by Cameron Williams tying the game at 13 with 14:38 on the clock. Over the next five minutes, Piedmont went on a 12-0 run to secure the lead and never trailed again in the contest. That 12-0 run was capped by MALIK ABDULGADER draining a 3-pointer on a career-best shooting night scoring eight points. 

Toccoa Falls stormed back to make it a four point contest but Piedmont once again took control with a 10-2 run to put themselves back in a more comfortable lead. The Lions tacked on two 3-pointers inside the final 1:10 to play in the first half including KELLY ASSINESI throwing up a 3-pointer at the buzzer which connected making it 47-33 at the break.

TRAE GAINES extended the Piedmont lead to 18 making a 3-pointer with 17:42 to play, one of 11 3-pointers in the contest for Piedmont as that neared a season-best mark. Piedmont held its largest lead of 22 at 70-48 after PEYTON LUKEN hit from downtown just after MALIK ABDULGADER had drained one of his own. 

The Lions had a 19 point lead with 5:30 to play leading 80-61 with the Screaming Eagles scoring 16 over the final five minutes of play to the Lions three points, making the final score seem closer than the game once was. 

LANDRY ASSINESI led the team in rebounds claiming nine boards while JUSTIN VALLEJO led the team with 17 points. Both TRAE GAINES and CHASE ENGLAND were in double figures too with Gaines adding 14 points and England scoring 12. 

Turning Point
--A 12-0 run by Piedmont over the middle portion of the first half opened up the lead and the Lions never looked back. 

Standout Performances
--JUSTIN VALLEJO entered the contest averaging 15.4 points per game to lead the Lions and scored 17 Tuesday to only better that number. 
--Both NICK RYAN and MALIK ABDULGADER had career-high performances scoring eight points while Abdulgader added two rebounds and a pair of blocks. 

Inside the Box Score
--Piedmont tied the second-highest number of 3-pointers made this season banking 11 from behind the arc with their season high coming at 13 against Bob Jones.

News & Notes
--Piedmont won both contests against the Screaming Eagles this season winning 91-88 against Toccoa Falls at home on December 1. 

Up Next
The Lions are back in action inside Cave Arena Saturday taking on N.C. Wesleyan at 2 p.m. Piedmont has won its last two in USA South play and is 3-2 at home this season. 

How to Follow
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