NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 84, Mary Baldwin 53
Records: Piedmont, 21-5 (14-2 USA South); Mary Baldwin, 17-10 (10-6 USA South)
 
DEMOREST, Ga. – The Piedmont College women's basketball team is moving on to the USA South Tournament Semifinals after a dominant 84-53 quarterfinal victory over Mary Baldwin on Saturday afternoon at Cave Arena.
 
The Lady Lions (21-5) went on a 17-3 run over the final 4:19 of the first quarter and proceeded to outscore the Fighting Squirrels (17-10) by 20 points over the final 30 minutes of the contest to clinch a return trip to the USA South Tournament Semifinals.
 
Piedmont's guards dominated the game, as ASHLYN ELLISON (20), AMARI PRICE (19) and JATASIA BAILEY (15) combined for 54 points and five of the team's six three-pointers. HOPE FRANKLIN finished a rebound shy of a double-double in 18 minutes off the bench.
 
The Fighting Squirrels opened the game strong, connecting on each of their first four field goal attempts. However, the Lady Lions responded with a furious barrage of scoring in the final four plus minutes of the opening period to build a double-digit lead heading into the second.
 
PC's defense held Mary Baldwin to just seven points in the second quarter. Although the Lady Lions offense was held in check, they still increased their lead to 16 points before the break.
 
Once Piedmont took a 43-23 lead on KELLY ACKERMAN's layup a minute into the second half, the Fighting Squirrels never got any closer the rest of the way.
 
The Lady Lions kept the pedal down in the fourth, putting up a 25-point quarter and sealing a spot in the semifinals.
 
Up next, Piedmont will remain at home to host the USA South Semifinals and Finals, beginning with a 1 p.m. semifinal matchup against Huntingdon next Saturday, Feb. 23 at 1 p.m.
 
TURNING POINT:
- PC's 17-3 run to close out the first quarter gave the team a double-digit lead that held the rest of the way.
 
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Two days after becoming the first PC women's basketball player to win USA South Player of the Year, AMARI PRICE showcased her entire skillset on Saturday, scoring 19 points to go with seven rebounds, seven assists and three steals.
- JATASIA BAILEY added a team-high three three-pointers and 15 points.
- ASHLYN ELLISON has now tallied a new career high in two straight games, scoring 20 points on Saturday and adding her first three-pointer of the year.
- HOPE FRANKLIN finished with 10 points and nine rebounds in just 18 minutes.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- The Lady Lions dominated the glass, outrebounding the Fighting Squirrels, 46-29.
- Piedmont shot over 50 percent from the field in three of the four quarters.
 
NEWS AND NOTES:
- The win marks the fourth consecutive season in which Piedmont has advanced to the USA South Tournament Semifinals.
 
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.