Need to Know
Score: Piedmont 69, Berea 63
Records: Lady Lions 23-5, 11-3 USA South, Mountaineers 23-4, 12-2 USA South
Location: Greensboro, North Carolina

GREENSBORO, N.C. – For the second year in a row, the Piedmont College women's basketball team returns home as USA South Tournament Champions after defeating Berea College 69-63 Sunday. BRIDGETTE KELLY was named tournament MVP helping the Lady Lions to victory thanks to her 18 points which lead Piedmont.

In the first quarter, it was Kelly who was on fire from deep making four 3-pointers in the first 10 minutes as the Lady Lions led it 19-13 after the first quarter. Kelly accounted for 12 of Piedmont's 19 points as she was the leading scorer with just one point less individually than the Mountaineers' total. 

CARLIE SHIELDS joined the 3-point party in the second quarter as she began shooting from way downtown making a pair of 3-pointers from a few feet behind the arc. The Lady Lions out-shot the Mountaineers 8-3 from three point range helping create the 12-point lead at the half 41-29. 

Piedmont led by as many as 14, but the Mountaineers used a second half comeback to threaten late tying the contest with 3:31 to play. The Lady Lions did not allow Berea to regain the lead, however, closing out the contest making 8-of-10 free throws. 

BRIDGETTE KELLY was named Tournament MVP while CARLIE SHIELDS and AMARI PRICE earned all-tournament team honors. 

Turning Point
--In the final 3:30 of the game, the Lady Lions settled into position and made 8-of-10 free throws to seal the contest. 

Standout Performances
--BRIDGETTE KELLY was electric from behind the arc as she was 5-for-8 from 3-point range with 18 points. 
--The Lady Lions had four scorers in double figures in Kelly (18), Shields (12), BRITTANY WALKER (12) and AMARI PRICE (11). 

News & Notes
--The championship marks the second straight for the Lady Lions as they are set to head to the NCAA tournament for the second year in a row. 

Up Next
--With the win, Piedmont claims the automatic bid for the NCAA tournament with the selection show airing Monday at 2:30 p.m. on NCAA.com.

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.