NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 85, N.C. Wesleyan 74
Records: Piedmont, 7-4, 2-2 USA South; N.C. Wesleyan 5-6, 1-2 USA South

DEMOREST, Ga. – Junior JORDAN FOOTE scored a career-high 25 points to lead Piedmont in a comeback win 85-74 over North Carolina Wesleyan College Saturday in the conference home opener. Foote made it a double-double with 10 rebounds as Piedmont remained undefeated at home with a 3-0 record to start the 2019-20 season. 

The Lions were ahead early but the Battling Bishops claimed the lead 8-6 on a 3-pointer and held the lead through the majority of the first half. With the score tied at 14, N.C. Wesleyan went on a 15-0 run to lead 29-14 with just under 10:00 to go till the half. 

Piedmont looked to be in trouble, but proved they were not out of this one with a 23-7 run to close out the half and lead 37-36 at the break. MILES RILEY made it a 10 point game with an and-one conversion and momentum was in favor of the Lions. 

JORDAN FOOTE hit a 3-pointer to make it a one score game and EVAN EASTON tied the game at 34 with 1:33 on the clock. A MILES RILEY layup in the final minute gave Piedmont the lead 37-36 at the half. 

Piedmont continued to connect and never trailed in the second half extending their lead to as many as 16. MICHAEL JOSEPH connected on a pair of back-to-back 3-pointers in the opening minutes of the second half on his way to 10 points. 

The Lions led by five 60-55 with under 10:00 to go and used a 12-3 run to stretch the lead to 72-58 and controlled the game through the final minutes. 

The difference in the game proved to be momentum and converting at the line as the two teams both had eight 3-pointers and Piedmont managed just one basket more than the Battling Bishops from the field. Piedmont added 13 points from the free throw line while N.C. Wesleyan was held to four points from the line. 

Up next, Piedmont returns to the court in less than 24 hours to host Methodist University at 2 p.m. Sunday. 

TURNING POINT:
--A 23-7 run to close out the first half helped the Lions secure a 37-36 lead at the break.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
--JORDAN FOOTE notched a career-high 25 points with a double-double adding 10 rebounds. 
--MILES RILEY also added over 20 points putting up 21 as four of Piedmont's five starters scored in double digits. 

NEWS AND NOTES:
--Piedmont trailed by as many as 15 midway through the first half 29-14. 

HOW TO FOLLOW:
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