Piedmont University Athletics

NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 70, Averett 56
Records: Piedmont, 2-0; Averett, 1-1
 
DECATUR, Ga. – The Piedmont College women's basketball team rolled to a 70-56 victory over Averett on Sunday afternoon in its final game of the Agnes Scott Tip-Off Classic in Decatur, Georgia.
 
The Lions (2-0) took the lead midway through the first half and never looked back, building a double-digit advantage in the second quarter and keeping up the defensive intensity throughout the second half to earn the win.
 
Freshman forward HOPE FRANKLIN had an outstanding game for Piedmont, notching her first career double-double with career highs in points (15) and rebounds (15), both of which led PC.
 
One game after her near triple-double, AMARI PRICE scored 10 points on just four field goal attempts and added eight more assists to lead all players.
 
With the score tied at 10-10 midway through the first quarter, the Lions used a 13-4 run to take a 23-14 advantage into the second quarter.
 
The Lions extended their lead to 36-19 with just under five minutes to play in the first half, but the Cougars (1-1) held PC scoreless the last 4:38 of the period to cut their deficit to 14 heading into the break.
 
Piedmont's defense tightened even more in the third quarter as it built a game-high 49-27 lead late in the period.
 
The Cougars outscored the Lions, 23-17, in the fourth quarter. However, it was too late to put a scare into PC, which cruised to the 14-point victory and improved to a 2-0 start to the new season.
 
TURNING POINT:
- With the game tied in the early stages, Piedmont's 13-4 over the last five minutes of the opening quarter set the stage for a comfortable win.
 
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- One game after dishing out a career-high nine assists, junior guard AMARI PRICE added eight more on Sunday to lead the Lions.
- In her second career game, freshman forward HOPE FRANKLIN was a force on the glass, pulling in 15 rebounds to go along with 15 points for her first career double-double.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- The Lions used a stifling defense to hold Averett to just 14-of-66 (21.2%) from the field.
- PC also grabbed 51 rebounds, compared to Averett's 47.
 
UP NEXT:
- The Lions travel north to take on Southern Virginia in their first true road contest this Thursday, Nov. 15 at 7 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, and Facebook. To follow each Piedmont athletic program on social media, use the Social Media Directory at PiedmontLions.com or click here.