NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 78, Berry 64
Records: Piedmont, 1-0; Berry, 0-1
 
ATLANTA, Ga. – The Piedmont College women's basketball team pulled away late for a 78-64 season-opening win over Berry on Saturday afternoon at the USA South/SAA Classic in Atlanta.
 
The Lady Lions (1-0) used a 12-0 run overlapping the end of the third and the beginning of the fourth quarter to build a double-digit lead and start off the season with a 14-point victory.
 
Senior guard AMARI PRICE finished just three assists and one steal shy of a quadruple-double, scoring 21 points to go with 10 rebounds, nine steals and seven assists. Her 21 points gives her 1,001 for her superb career in Demorest.
 
Piedmont picked up right where it left off from last season as Price found RACHEL IRBY for a layup on the team's first possession. PC scored the first seven points of the game to force a quick Berry timeout.
 
Overall, the Lady Lions forced eight turnovers and only committed one in the first quarter to build a 21-9 lead through the first 10 minutes.
 
The Vikings (0-1) were able to cut into Piedmont's lead in the early stages of the second quarter, but the Lady Lions were able to extend it back to 15 by halftime. Price scored 15 points and delivered two assists and two rebounds to lead PC in the first half. As a team, the Lady Lions forced 16 Berry turnovers over the first 20 minutes.
 
Berry came roaring out of the locker room in the second half, outscoring Piedmont, 17-6, over the first six-plus minutes of the half. The Vikings cut PC's lead to 48-46 late in the third quarter, but a three-pointer from SARA BETH HANSARD gave the Lady Lions a 52-46 lead going into the final period.
 
Piedmont scored the first eight points of the fourth quarter to extend its lead to 12 points. Berry was able to cut its deficit to 61-54 minutes later but never was able to get any closer, as PC held the Vikings at arm's length the rest of the way and iced the game at the free throw line.
 
Up next, the Lady Lions will be back in action tomorrow at 4 p.m. to take on No. 19 Oglethorpe in their final game of the USA South/SAA Classic.
 
TURNING POINT:
- After Berry had cut Piedmont's lead to 48-46 late in the third quarter, the Lady Lions responded with a 12-0 run to provide themselves a double-digit cushion for most of the final period.
 
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- In the game in which she reached 1,000 career points, Price showcased her entire skillset, flirting with a quadruple-double (21 points, 10 rebounds, nine steals and seven assists) in just 31 minutes.
- ASHLYN ELLISON added 11 points in 24 minutes
- Freshman EMILY WILEY scored eight points in her collegiate debut.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Piedmont forced 26 turnovers while only committing 15.
- The Lady Lions earned 41 free throw attempts, connecting on 23
 
HOW TO FOLLOW:
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