NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 80, Covenant 58
Records: Piedmont, 6-3 (3-0 USA South); Covenant, 3-6 (1-1 USA South)
 
DEMOREST, Ga. – Behind a career-high 25 points from freshman forward NAKIYAH WASHINGTON, the Piedmont College women's basketball team rolled past Covenant, 80-58, on Saturday afternoon at Cave Arena.
 
The Lady Lions (6-3, 3-0 USA South) outscored the Scots (3-6, 1-1 USA South) in each quarter and pulled away with a dominant third quarter to earn their third straight victory to begin conference play.
 
Washington led the way with 25 points on 11-of-13 shooting while also grabbing eight rebounds, adding six steals and three assists. Senior BRITTANY WALKER chipped in with a season-high 14 points on 6-of-9 from the field while adding five boards and three blocks.
 
After Covenant scored on its opening possession to take a 2-0 lead, Piedmont scored the next eight consecutive points and never trailed the rest of the way. 
 
Leading by five going into the second quarter, the Lady Lions were able to push the lead to double digits on EMILY WILEY's three-pointer with 2:49 left in the half. RAEGINE NEWKIRK's put back beat the halftime buzzer to give Piedmont a 41-31 edge heading to the locker room.
 
PC raced out of halftime, scoring the first 12 points of the second half to build an insurmountable 53-31 lead. The Lady Lions held the Scots scoreless for the first 4:39 of the third quarter and led by as many as 23 points in the period.
 
Covenant was able to cut its deficit to 12 points with 4:49 remaining, but Piedmont tightened its defense once again, holding the Scots scoreless the rest of the way and closing the game on a 10-0 run.
 
Up next, the Lady Lions will travel to Huntingdon for a 2 p.m. contest next Saturday, Dec. 14 at 2 p.m.
 
TURNING POINT:
- Already with a double-digit lead, Piedmont put the game away with a 12-0 run to begin the third quarter.
 
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- NAKIYAH WASHINGTON continued her impressive freshman campaign, scoring a career-high 25 points to go with eight rebounds, six steals and three assists.
- BRITTANY WALKER delivered a season-high 14 points and recorded three blocks.
- ASHLYN ELLISON was close to a triple-double, with 10 points, eight rebounds and a career-high tying seven assists.
- Freshman guard EMILY WILEY added 10 points, five rebounds and three assists.
 
NEWS AND NOTES:
- With the win, the Lady Lions have now started USA South play 3-0 for the third straight season.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- The Lady Lions had a season-high 20 assists to go with a season-low eight turnovers. 
- Piedmont also forced Covenant into 27 turnovers for the contest.
 
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.