NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Berea 70, Piedmont 61
Records: Berea, 13-2 (6-0 USA South); Piedmont, 8-8 (4-3 USA South)
 
DEMOREST, Ga. – The Piedmont College women's basketball team was unable to hold off USA South West Division leader Berea and fell, 70-61, at Cave Arena on Saturday afternoon.
 
Piedmont (8-8, 4-3 USA South) led, 16-9, at the end of the first quarter, but a 26-point second quarter for the Mountaineers (13-2, 6-0 USA South) gave them a halftime lead and from there they never looked back.
 
Four Lady Lions were in double figures, led by NAKIYAH WASHINGTON's 12 points. AMARI PRICE was held to just three points but dished out a career-best 13 assists in the loss.
 
PC's defense stifled the Berea offense in the first quarter, holding the Mountaineers to just 2-of-20 from the field to build a 16-9 advantage.
 
However, Berea started the second quarter on a 6-0 run to get within a point. The Lady Lions answered with a 9-0 run capped by an EMILY WILEY jumper, but the Mountaineers responded by outscoring PC, 16-5, over the final five minutes of the half to take a 35-31 lead into the break.
 
After a pair of KARLA CANTRELL layups pushed Piedmont even at 35 early in the second half, Berea answered with a quick 6-0 run and led the rest of the way.
 
In the final quarter, the Lady Lions were unable to get closer than a four-point deficit as Berea closed out the win to remain unbeaten in conference play.
 
Up next, the Lady Lions will head south to battle LaGrange on Tuesday, Jan. 17 at 6 p.m.
 
TURNING POINT:
- Berea's 16-5 run over the final five minutes of the first half gave it a lead that stood the rest of the way.
 
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- The Lady Lions had a balanced scoring attack, with NAKIYAH WASHINGTON (12), EMILY WILEY (11), KYLA MICHIENZI (11) and KARLA CANTRELL (10) reaching double figures.
- Price dished out a career-high 13 assists, one better than her previous mark, set in her triple-double performance last season at Covenant.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Berea enjoyed a 54-37 rebounding advantage which included 23 offensive rebounds.
- The Lady Lions remained cold from beyond the arc, connecting on just 3-of-17 from deep.
 
HOW TO FOLLOW:
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