Need to Know
Score: Piedmont 76, Covenant 69
Records: Lions 15-10, 10-6 USA South, Scots 16-9, 10-6 USA South
Location: Demorest, Georgia
DEMOREST, Ga. - On senior day for the Lions, the Piedmont men's basketball team defeated Covenant College 76-69 on a standout day for
JUSTIN VALLEJO. Vallejo had his 10th double-double of the season putting up 17 points and 14 rebounds.
Piedmont built a seven point lead with 9:05 to play until halftime, but the Scots kept it close and eventually took the lead on a 3-pointer 27-26. Piedmont responded and built a seven point lead again with
TAYLOR MILLS hitting a 3-pointer 47 seconds before the half to take a 43-36 lead into the break.
Neither team scored for almost two minutes over a period just into the second half, but Covenant kept chipping away and used a 10-0 run to claim the lead 55-50. The Lions battled and overcame adversity to score eight straight and regain the lead.
From that point on, the Lions never trailed with one of the biggest plays of the game coming with less than a minute to play as
LANDRY ASSINESI drew an offensive foul keeping the Scots from another scoring opportunity. Piedmont made 5-of-6 free throws inside the final minute to clinch the victory.
Turning Point
--Covenant used a 10-0 run to lead 55-50 with 11:54 to play in the game, but the Lions reeled off an 8-0 run to take a 58-55 lead and Piedmont never trailed again.
Standout Performances
--
JUSTIN VALLEJO notched his 10th double-double of the season on senior day with 17 points and 14 rebounds.
--
ELIJAH ALSTON scored 21 for the Lions while
MARQUISE LANIER also added 17 in the contest.
Inside the Box Score
--The Scots were a deep threat all game as they had 10 3-pointers in the contest to the Lions' five.
News & Notes
--Piedmont shot 65% from the charity stripe while Covenant was only 47% from the line.
Up Next
--The Lions will play again on Tuesday as the #2 seed in the USA South conference tournament with the location and opponent to be announced.
How to Follow
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