NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 62, Huntingdon 78
Records: Piedmont, 5-3, 0-1 USA South; Huntingdon 3-5, 1-1 USA South

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Piedmont College men's basketball team could not keep pace with the Huntingdon Hawks Saturday dropping a 78-62 decision in the USA South conference opener. JORDAN FOOTE led the team in points (15) and rebounds (10) with his second double-double of the season.

In the first half, the Lions trailed by nine 16-7 but then back-to-back 3-pointers by ANDREW STIMPSON sparked a run by the Lions to cut into the deficit. An EVAN EASTON 3-pointer tied the game at 18 just minutes later and the Lions built a 22-18 lead.

A 10-0 run for the Hawks put them back in front but 3-pointers kept the Lions within reach as JUSTIN QUICK and COLE HUSKEY each added one from beyond the arc. Piedmont totaled seven in the game with six coming in the first half as Piedmont shot 6-of-8 from 3-point range.

The Hawks held a three point lead at the break 33-30 but JORDAN FOOTE scored first out of halftime to cut it to one and MILES RILEY converted a pair of free throws to take the lead 34-33.

That was the last lead the Lions would hold in the game as Huntingdon began to slowly build up their lead. Piedmont was held scoreless for over four minutes midway through the second half as the Hawks built a double-digit lead with 7:26 to play 55-44.

The Lions continued to fight but were unable to overcome the deficit losing 78-62.

Up next, the Lions continue USA South play on the road at William Peace Tuesday at 2 p.m.

TURNING POINT:
--The Hawks held a five point lead with 8:50 to play but a 7-0 run built a double-digit lead and the Lions never closed the gap to less than eight over the final minutes.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
--JORDAN FOOTE notched a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds to lead Piedmont in both categories.
--EVAN EASTON scored 14 points off the bench while adding six rebounds.

NEWS AND NOTES:
--These two teams combined for 48 turnovers.
--Huntingdon had 17 offensive rebounds to Piedmont's eight.

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.