NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 85, Toccoa Falls 59
Records: Piedmont, 4-0; Toccoa Falls 3-8
 
DEMOREST, Ga. – In the Piedmont College men's basketball team's 2019-20 home opener, the Lions cruised to an 85-59 victory over crosstown foe Toccoa Falls College. The Lions survived an overtime win to start the season at Toccoa 81-76 and dominated the Screaming Eagles in the early season rematch. 

For the first time in the NCAA Division III era (since 03-04), the Piedmont men's basketball team is 4-0 to start the season. 

The Screaming Eagles took an early lead as they led 9-7 at the first media timeout, but once the Lions stepped on the gas, Piedmont left no doubt. WILL RICHTER connected on back-to-back three pointers to light up the crowd and force a TFC timeout with Piedmont leading 23-13 just inside 10:00 till halftime. 

In the final 9:50 of the first half, JORDAN FOOTE and ORRY CLEMENTS-OWENS kept the Lions out infront accouting for all 13 of Piedmont's points. In back-to-back games, JORDAN FOOTE has finished one rebound shy of a double-double posting 15 points and nine boards in Saturday's performance. 

Piedmont led 36-18 at the half, but it wasn't just the offense that was noteworthy. The defense was lights out in the first half holding the Screaming Eagles to just 28% from the floor and only 18 points. 

The second half was again all Lions as Piedmont built the lead to as many as 40 with just over 5:00 to play. Piedmont showed its depth in the second half including sending four freshmen and a transfer on the court for the final 3:41.

The newcomers made their presence known as JAKE SMITH and RYAN HANSON hit back-to-back 3-pointers within 18 seconds followed by a turnaround, step-back jumper by AUSTEN MCKNIGHT. All three scored their first career points on those shots. 

The Lions connected on nine 3-pointers in the game while earning 18 points from the line. Piedmont's defense forced 25 turnovers in the contest. 
 
Up next, Piedmont hits the road playing at Sewanee on Tuesday, November 26 at 7 p.m.
 
TURNING POINT:
--Back-to-back 3-pointers from WILL RICHTER midway through the first half put the Lions up by 10 and Piedmont never trailed again.
 
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
--Three of Piedmont's starters scored in double figures led by Foote's 15 with JUSTIN QUICK adding 12 and ORRY CLEMENTS-OWENS notching 11. 
--Thirteen different players scored in the contest with both WILL RICHTER (9 points) and PARKER BERRY (7 points) tying career-highs. 
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
--The 26-point victory is the largest home victory since a 75-48 win over Ferrum on Feb. 9, 2018.
 
OF NOTE:
--Four players scored their first career points (LOGAN CRANFORD, JAKE SMITH, RYAN HANSON, AUSTEN MCKNIGHT).
 
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