NEED TO KNOW:
Records: Piedmont, 22-5; Huntingdon, 22-5
Score: Piedmont 68, Huntingdon 53
 
DEMOREST, Ga. – The Piedmont College women's basketball team used a dominant defensive effort to take down Huntingdon, 68-53, on Saturday afternoon in the USA South Championship Tournament Semifinals at Cave Arena.
 
The Lady Lions (22-5) held the Hawks (22-5) to just six first quarter points and led by double-digits for most of the second half to advance to their fourth-straight USA South Championship Tournament Final.
 
USA South Player of the Year AMARI PRICE delivered once again, scoring 17 points to go with seven rebounds, four assists and a pair of steals. HOPE FRANKLIN added her fifth double-double of the season, scoring 11 points to go with 14 rebounds and a career-high four blocks in 21 minutes off the bench.
 
Both teams struggled offensively in the opening quarter, but the Lady Lions held a 13-6 lead after the first 10 minutes after holding Huntingdon just 2-for-15 from the field in the period.
 
Piedmont improved to 50 percent shooting in the second quarter and held the Hawks to just 5-for-20 to take an 11-point lead into the half. The Lady Lions had not made a three-pointer in the half until Price's last-second buzzer-beater gave them their first double-digit lead of the contest.
 
PC kept the pedal down in the third quarter, picking up its offensive production with a 22-point quarter to increase its lead to 50-32 heading into the final 10 minutes.
 
Huntingdon put up a game-high 21 points in the fourth quarter, but it was too late as the Lady Lions converted 10-of-14 free throw attempts in the final 10 minutes to seal the victory.
 
Up next, the Lady Lions will take on Berea in the USA South Championship Game on Sunday at 2 P.M. at Cave Arena. The teams split the regular season series, with each side rolling to a dominant win at home.
 
TURNING POINT:
- Having not made a three-pointer for the first half, AMARI PRICE hit nothing but net from just over half-court as the first half expired.
 
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- After a buzzer-beater to end the half, AMARI PRICE left the Cave Crazies electric as she led the Lady Lions with 17 points and another all-around effort with seven rebounds and four assists.
- HOPE FRANKLIN was one of two Lady Lions to score in double figures off the bench with her fifth double-double of the year accounting for 11 points and 14 rebounds.
- For the 12th time in the 2018-19 season, KELLY ACKERMAN scored 10+ contributing 14 points.
- ASHLYN ELLISON followed up her career-high 20 points against Mary Baldwin with another impressive performance in the semifinals, scoring 12 points off the bench. 
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Piedmont outscored the Hawks in each quarter but the fourth as the Hawks held a 21-18 edge in the final period.
 
NEWS AND NOTES:
- The win avenged a loss on senior day to the Hawks as both teams had won on the opponent's home court in the regular season. 
 
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.