Need to Know
Score: Piedmont 81, Covenant 87
Records: Lions 5-19, 4-13 USA South
Location: Demorest, Ga.

DEMOREST, Ga. - The Piedmont College men's basketball team lost an 87-81 game to Covenant College Saturday on senior day inside Cave Arena. Prior to the contest, the Lions honored seniors TARIQ ABDULGADER, MARQUISE LANIER, and TAYLOR MILLS for their accomplishments in the Green and Gold. 

It was a tight game throughout as the Scots took an early lead 12-6 in the opening five minutes but Piedmont used back-to-back 3-pointers from Lanier and JUSTIN QUICK to cut into the deficit. The Lions took the lead on a Quick tip-in, but Covenant regained control and led 24-20 with 5:25 to the break.

The Lions went on a 14-5 run to lead 34-29, but the Scots closed in and a last-second 3-pointer for Covenant gave them a 36-35 lead at the half. Lanier accounted for Piedmont's first seven points out of the locker room tying the game at 42.

Three straight 3-pointers for the Lions put Piedmont ahead 55-48 holding a seven point lead and built it to as many as 10 with 12:16 to play on another 3-pointer from TAYLOR MILLS. The Scots quickly cut back into the lead bringing it down to two points, but the Lions continued to hold on to the lead until the Scots tied the game with 8:04 to play at 67-67. 

The two teams traded 3-pointers, but from that point, the Scots took control to close out the contest. Lanier, Mills, and Quick all had three 3-pointers in the game while JORDAN FOOTE added one of his own and scored 15 points as the second leading scorer for the Lions behind Lanier's 24. 

Turning Point
--The Scots used an 8-0 run to take the lead inside of 5:00 to play leading 79-72 and led for the duration of the contest. 

Standout Performances
--MARQUISE LANIER led the way on senior day with his 24 points and eight rebounds including a dunk in the first half. 

Inside the Box Score
--These two teams combined to make 24 3-pointers as it felt like these two couldn't miss from deep. 

News & Notes
--The Lions led by as many as 10 in the second half wth 12:16 to play. 

Up Next
--Piedmont will wrap up the season with a road trip to LaGrange to take on the Panthers on Saturday, February 16 at 3:00 p.m.

How to Follow
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