NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 71, Maryville 68
Records: Piedmont, 13-3 (7-0 USA South); Maryville, 6-9 (4-2 USA South)
 
DEMOREST, Ga. – The Piedmont College women's basketball team held off Maryville in a thrilling 71-68 victory on Wednesday night at Cave Arena.
 
The Lady Lions (13-3, 7-0 USA South) used 24-point third quarter to take control of the game and held off the Scots' fourth-quarter rally to remain unbeaten in conference play.
 
AMARI PRICE did everything for Piedmont, scoring 18 of her game-high 25 points in the second half to go with eight assists and four rebounds. She was joined in double figures by JATASIA BAILEY, who poured in 10 points and added five assists. Forward ABBEY CRAVEN tallied a career-high 10 points in 13 minutes off the bench.
 
The game was tightly contested early on, with PC closing the opening quarter on a 6-0 run to take a 17-15 lead into the second period.
 
Maryville (6-9, 4-2 USA South) responded with a solid defensive second quarter and established a three-point lead heading into the locker room.
 
The third quarter belonged to the Lady Lions, as they outscored the Scots, 24-15, to extend their lead to six points. Price came alive in the quarter, scoring 12 points and knocking down all three of her three-point attempts.
 
Piedmont led by as many as 13 points early in the fourth quarter, but Maryville rallied back thanks to four three-pointers. The Scots cut their deficit to one possession in the final minute, but RACHEL IRBY knocked down 3-of-4 late free throw attempts and Maryville was unable to convert on a buzzer-beating three to tie the game.
 
TURNING POINT:
- AMARI PRICE scored 13 straight points for the Lady Lions overlapping the end of the third and beginning of the fourth quarter. At the end of the run, PC led by a game-high 13 points with just over eight minutes to play.
 
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Price scored 18 of her game-high 25 points in the second half, including 12 in the third quarter. For the third straight game, she finished just shy of a double-double, adding eight assists to lead all players.
- ABBEY CRAVEN delivered a career-high 10 points in just 13 minutes off the bench.
- HOPE FRANKLIN dominated the boards, grabbing 11 rebounds to go with nine points.
- RACHEL IRBY added 10 rebounds and knocked down 3-of-4 critical free throws in the final minute.
 
NEWS AND NOTES:
- Piedmont's 7-0 start to USA South play is its best since winning 13 in a row in the 2015-16 season.
 
UP NEXT:
- The Lady Lions will play three more home games over the next seven days, starting on Saturday, Jan. 12 at 2 p.m. against undefeated Berea.
 
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.