NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 87, Pfeiffer 92
Records: Piedmont, 6-4, 1-2 USA South; Pfeiffer 6-4, 1-1 USA South

MISENHEIMER, N.C. – The Piedmont College men's basketball team dropped a tough 92-87 game at Pfeiffer Wednesday in conference play. The Lions rallied in the second half but fell just short despite an impressive showing.

It was a one-score game in the first half until ORRY CLEMENTS-OWENS connected from downtown to give Piedmont a 16-11 lead with 15:19 till halftime. The Falcons clawed back and claimed a five point lead of their own 29-24 with just under 8:30 remaining in the first half.

Pfeiffer stretched the lead to as many as 13 inside the final minute, but a quick run by the Lions made it 52-43 at the half. The nine point deficit was the same margin Piedmont trailed by in Tuesday's contest at William Peace.

It was nearly the same story as the William Peace contest with Piedmont mounting a second half comeback after allowing the Falcons to lead by 13 again with 13:44 remaining. The Lions used a 10-3 run to cut it to 68-62 inside the 10:00 mark.

JUSTIN QUICK's only 3-pointer of the game made it 69-65 and the Lions got the lead to just one point off a layup by Clements-Owens with 6:51 to play. The two teams battled back and forth but the Lions took their first lead in the second half with 2:36 to play on a MILES RILEY layup.

Piedmont led 82-81, but the Falcons were matching the Lions shot-for-shot and held the lead 85-84 with 1:43 to go. Piedmont would score just three more points in the contest while Pfeiffer was able to convert free throws and a few opportunities from the floor.

The Lions continue to improve offensively this year averaging 76.1 points per game but have outscored that in both of the last two games.

Up next, Piedmont has a break for the holidays before a non-counting DI exhibition game at Western Carolina on December 28.

TURNING POINT:
--Piedmont rallied in the second half after trailing by 13, but the Lions were unable to connect in the final two minutes with just one basket from the floor.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
--MILES RILEY continued his offensive outburst with 22 points Wednesday after scoring a career-high 25 in the previous contest against William Peace.

NEWS AND NOTES:
--The Lions have scored their two highest point totals of the season in the last two contests.

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.