NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 70, Huntingdon 73
Records: Piedmont, 7-7, 2-5 USA South; Huntingdon 7-7, 4-3 USA South

DEMOREST, Ga. – Despite a career night from freshman ORRY CLEMENTS-OWENS, the Piedmont College men's basketball team lost 73-70 to Huntingdon College Saturday. Clements-Owens scored 26 points including seven 3-pointers to lead Piedmont. 

Clements-Owens opened the game with back-to-back 3-pointers as the freshman was hot from the start. Huntingdon led 13-8 after a three of their own, but Piedmont answered back as WILL RICHTER drained it from deep. The Lions took the lead on a free throw by MILES RILEY making it 14-13 followed by another Clements-Owens shot from downtown. 

Piedmont stretched the lead to 11 off a three from ANDREW STIMPSON to lead 26-15. The Lions went on an 18-2 run over that stretch and maintained control through the first half to lead 40-35 at the break. Piedmont had eight 3-pointers in the first half with five off the hands of Clements-Owens who had 16 points at the break.

The second half saw Piedmont pick up where they left off on an 11-0 run to open the period. From that point, the Hawks went on a run of their own to cut into the lead 51-43. The Lions were held without a basket from the floor for over a four minute stretch as Huntingdon clawed back to make it a four point game 58-54 with 8:15 to play. 

Piedmont maintained the lead until a 3-pointer by the Hawks' Cam Boyd tied the game at 62 with 4:41 remaining. MILES RILEY made a layup with 3:13 to go to tie the game at 64 and stop a 10-2 run for the Hawks. That was the last shot Piedmont would make from the floor until the final second when ORRY CLEMENTS-OWENS heaved a last ditch effort that dropped for his seventh 3-pointer of the night. 

The game was tied at 66 with 1:00 to go when Huntingdon called timeout with possession. The Hawks managed to hit a layup to take the lead 68-66 with 52 seconds to play. MILES RILEY was fouled driving the lane and converted 1-of-2 to make it 68-67. 

Piedmont blocked a shot to gain possession down one but a turnover gave the Hawks the ball and Huntingdon converted 5-of-6 free throws in the final 14 seconds. Clements-Owens had six seconds to bring it up the court for his last chance effort that dropped, but with less than a second remaining, the Hawks held on for the victory. 

Up next, Piedmont hosts Maryville College Wednesday January 15 at 7 p.m.

TURNING POINT:
--Piedmont went cold in the final five minutes with just two baskets from the floor while Huntingdon was able to score 14 points including going 9-of-10 from the free throw line. 

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
--ORRY CLEMENTS-OWENS notched a career-high 26 points including seven 3-pointers going 7-of-11 from deep. 

NEWS AND NOTES:
--Piedmont totaled 12 3-pointers marking a season-high for the Lions.

HOW TO FOLLOW:
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