NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 79, Louisiana College 61
Records: Piedmont, 4-0; Louisiana College, 1-1
 
SALEM, Va. – The Piedmont College women's basketball team cruised to a 79-61 win over Louisiana College on Saturday night in its opening game of the Jean Beamer Tip-Off Classic, hosted by Roanoke College.
 
Trailing early in the second half, the Lions (4-0) used a big third quarter run to overtake the Wildcats (1-1) and pull away in the fourth quarter for their fourth consecutive victory.
 
Piedmont used a balanced scoring attack, led by 17 points each from freshman HOPE FRANKLIN and junior RACHEL IRBY. 
 
The Lions jumped out to a strong offensive start in the first quarter, capitalizing on a late run to take a 22-18 lead after the first 10 minutes.
 
The second quarter was dominated by defense, as neither team was able to reach 10 points in the period. The Wildcats outscored the Lions, 8-7, to cut their deficit to just three points after the first half.
 
After Louisiana briefly took the lead at 35-33 early in the third quarter, the Lions responded with an offensive explosion and a 21-9 run to take a double-digit lead into the final period.
 
With the momentum in their favor, the Lions played a solid offensive fourth quarter, shooting 7-of-14 from the field and running away with the 18-point victory.
 
The win gives PC its first 4-0 start since the 2014-15 season.
 
TURNING POINT:
- Trailing 35-33 with just over seven minutes remaining in the third quarter, the Lions used a 21-9 run to finish the quarter and take a 10-point lead into the final period.
 
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Freshman foeward HOPE FRANKLIN was a force in the paint for the Lady Lions, scoring a career-high 17 points to go with 12 rebounds and 6-of-7 from the floor. It was Franklin's second double-double in her first four career games.
- RACHEL IRBY tied her career high of 17 points, including 7-of-9 from the free throw line.
- Despite being held to a season-low nine points, junior guard AMARI PRICE showcased her versatility, dishing out eight assists to go along with seven rebounds and five steals.
- KELLY ACKERMAN poured in 14 points on 3-of-6 from three-point range.
- Senior guard JATASIA BAILEY tallied a season-high 15 points.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Piedmont held Louisiana to just 20-of-66 from the floor (30.3%).
- The Lions also pulled in 50 rebounds, compared to 45 for the Wildcats.
 
UP NEXT:
- The Lady Lions will wrap up their weekend in Virginia with a 3 p.m. matchup tomorrow against Roanoke College.
 
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.