NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 68, Sewanee 64
Records: Piedmont, 1-0; Sewanee, 0-1
 
DECATUR, Ga. – The Piedmont College women's basketball team prevailed, 68-64, iin a thrilling season-opening victory over Sewanee in the Agnes Scott Tip-Off Classic in Decatur, Georgia.
 
After the Tigers (0-1) took a 64-61 lead with just over a minute to play, the Lady Lions (1-0) scored the final eight points to emerge victorious. 
 
Junior guard KELLY ACKERMAN delivered an outstanding performance, scoring a career-high 19 points to lead all players, including three three-pointers. Fellow guard AMARI PRICE versatility was on display as she finished just one point shy of a triple double with 17 points, nine rebounds and nine assists.
 
Piedmont knocked down 57 percent of its field goal attempts in the first quarter, but Sewanee took advantage of eight turnovers to take a 19-18 lead after the first 10 minutes.
 
The Lions took a 28-24 lead midway through the second period,  but the Tigers finished the half on a 6-1 run to take a 30-29 lead into halftime. Ackerman led PC with 10 first-half points.
 
Coming out of the break, the Lions used a late third-quarter run to swing the momentum. Trailing 39-36 midway through the quarter, they went on a 17-4 run to close the quarter and enter the final period with a 10-point advantage.
 
However, Sewanee responded with a 16-4 run and eventually retook the lead at 59-57 with three minutes to play in the contest. Piedmont continued to battle, but the Tigers' Bella Bombassi's three-pointer with 1:02 remaining put PC in a must score situation on its next possession.
 
Ackerman responded with her third triple of the game to tie the score before the Lions delivered a defensive stop on the next Sewanee possession. Then, in the final minute, 
RACHEL IRBY knocked down all four of her free throw attempts to seal the win.
 
Overall, Piedmont made all six of its free throw attempts in the final 2:06.
 
TURNING POINT:
- Down three in the final minute and facing a must-score possession, KELLY ACKERMAN stepped up and knocked down her third three of the game to tie the score at 64-all.
 
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Ackerman's 19 points eclipsed her previous career high of eight, set last season.
- Price's nine assists marked a career high while her nine rebounds fell one shy of her career-high 10, which occurred last season.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- The Lions held a 45-32 rebounding edge and also made 13 free throws, compared to just four for the Tigers.
 
UP NEXT:
- Piedmont concludes the Agnes Scott Tip-Off Classic tomorrow at 2 p.m. with a matchup against Averett.
 
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, and Facebook. To follow each Piedmont athletic program on social media, use the Social Media Directory at PiedmontLions.com or click here.