NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 61, Berry 49
Records: Vikings, 2-3; Lady Lions, 5-2
 
LAGRANGE, Ga. – The Piedmont women's basketball team closed the USA South/SAA Classic with a 61-49 win over Berry College on Sunday afternoon. 

Junior KELLY ACKERMAN continued her success and led all scorers with 15 points while shooting 5-of-9 from the field including four 3-pointers. 

RACHEL IRBY put Piedmont (5-2) on the board first with a 3-pointer before Ackerman made a pair of threes, with her second sparking a 10-0 run to put the Lady Lions ahead 16-4 with just over four minutes remaining in the first quarter. 

The defense held strong as Piedmont led 19-8 after the first 10 minutes. 

The Lady Lions carried their first quarter momentum and pulled ahead by 17 points off a SARA BETH HANSARD 3-pointer with 4:42 left in the second. Berry (2-3) would close the half with a 7-0 run and trailed 30-21 at the break. 

For the game, the Lady Lions shot 41% from the field and 35% from the the 3-point arc while limiting Berry to 33% from the floor and 13% from downtown. 

Ackerman opened the second half with another three, but the Vikings played tough and were able to keep their deficit under 10 for most of the third and trailed by five heading into the fourth. 

Berry would cut the led to three with 7:48 left in the game, but Piedmont was able to regroup and close the game with a 15-6 run to take the win. 

JATASIA BAILEY added 11 points, six rebounds and three steals while Irby scored 13 points with five rebounds. HOPE FRANKLIN added a team-high eight rebounds. 

 
TURNING POINT:
- Piedmont used a 10-0 run early in the game and led 19-8 after the first quarter. 
- Leading by three, Piedmont would close the game on a 15-6 run. 
 
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Ackerman led Piedmont in scoring for the second-straight day after dropping 24 points in a loss to Oglethorpe on Saturday.  
 
UP NEXT:
- Piedmont will travel to Covenant College on Friday for its first USA South Athletic Conference matchup. Tip-off is set for 5:00 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, and Facebook. To follow each Piedmont athletic program on social media, use the Social Media Directory at PiedmontLions.com or click here.