Need to Know
Score: Piedmont 54, Ferrum 51
Records: Lady Lions 20-7 (USA South 11-3), Panthers 18-9 (USA South 12-2)
Location: Maryville, Tennessee - Maryville College

Maryville, TN - For the second straight season, the Piedmont College women's basketball team is heading to the USA South Championship game after a 54-51 victory over Ferrum in the semifinals. The Lady Lions edged out the Panthers in the final two minutes and await the winner of the Maryville v. Averett game in Saturday's championship game. 

It was a close game the entire way as the largest lead of the game was six points by Piedmont 26-20 just before halftime. The Panthers took a five point lead in the first quarter 9-4 on a Kelli Mounce 3-pointer and led 11-8 after the first period. 

The Lady Lions made just two shots from the floor in the opening quarter with four points from the free throw line. PC took the lead in the second quarter after DAKOTA SULLENS made back-to-back buckets to start the period putting the Lady Lions up 12-11. 

BRIANNA BARRETT made back-to-back 3-pointers and BRIDGETTE KELLY added one of her own before Piedmont took a six point lead after three DAKOTA SULLENS free throws. That was the Lady Lions' largest lead of the game 26-20 but the Panthers cut the lead to 26-22 at the break.

The Lady Lions only managed nine points in the third quarter as neither team scored over a three and a half minute stretch during the period. Despite the low-scoring affair, PC still led by four after a Barrett 3-pointer but the Panthers' Mounce answered with one from behind the arc just before the end of the quarter making it 35-34.

The two teams swapped 3-pointers over the first two minutes of the 4th quarter with it remaining a one point game at 41-40 with 7:47 to play. Erin March gave the Panthers the lead 44-43 but an AMARI PRICE steal and quick pass to BRIDGETTE KELLY for a triple put PC back in front 46-44 with 5:36 to go.

Zarkia Mattox got a steal and quick score on the fast break to tie the game at 48 with 2:18 remaining, but Piedmont's play down the stretch making six free throws led to the victory and trip to the USA South Championship. 

Turning Point
--With the game tied at 48 and just over two minutes remaining, Piedmont went 6-of-10 down the stretch from the charity stripe to seal the victory. 

Standout Performances
--BRIANNA BARRETT and BRIDGETTE KELLY led the way as both contributed 11 points in the contest while Barrett added three steals. 

Inside the Box Score
--The Lady Lions held the Panthers to zero bench points as only the five starters scored for Ferrum. 

News & Notes
--The win marks the 20th of the season for PC giving them back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time since the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons. 

Up Next
--Piedmont awaits the winner of tonight's Maryville v. Averett game in the USA South Championship Saturday at 3:00 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.