NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 78, Huntingdon 56
Records: Piedmont, 17-8 (13-3 USA South); Huntingdon, 12-13 (11-5 USA South)
 
DEMOREST, Ga. – The Piedmont women's basketball team delivered a dominant second-half performance, running away from Huntingdon, 78-56, on Senior Day at Cave Arena.
 
After the score was tied at 25-all at the half, Piedmont 's offense exploded for 53 second-half points to clinch its ninth win in a row.
 
Four Lady Lions (17-8, 13-3 USA South) scored in double figures, led by freshman NAKIYAH WASHINGTON's 18 points. Fellow freshman EMILY WILEY added 14 points on 4-of-5 from beyond the arc while AMARI PRICE delivered another excellent all-around performance, scoring 13 points to go with six rebounds, four steals and three assists.
 
The Hawks (12-13, 11-5 USA South) jumped on the board first, but Piedmont scored the next seven to jump out to a quick advantage. Huntingdon cut its deficit to 12-11 after a Wyatt Bak three-pointer, but PC answered again with a 5-2 run to end the quarter.
 
Both teams struggled offensively in the second quarter, with Piedmont scoring just eight points. The Lady Lions built a 25-19 lead but were held off the scoreboard for the final 4:03 as Huntingdon's Shaonica Thomas used a personal 6-0 run to tie the game at 25-all going into the locker room.
 
Huntingdon scored first out of the locker room to build a three-point edge, but the Lady Lions quickly answered with a 13-0 run to take a 15-pont lead.
 
After the Hawks were able to cut their deficit to single digits at the end of the third, Piedmont scored the first 13 points of the third quarter to remove all doubt from the outcome. PC's defense held Huntingdon scoreless for over five minutes to begin the final period.
 
The win locks up the No. 2 spot in the USA South West Division for Piedmont. The Lady Lions receive a first-round bye in the USA South Tournament and will host the winner of a first-round matchup between Averett and Meredith next Saturday, Feb. 22 at 2 p.m.
 
TURNING POINT:
- After Huntingdon had rallied late in the third quarter to cut PC's lead to 54-45, the Lady Lions held the Hawks scoreless over the first five minutes of the fourth and built a 22-point lead to seal the victory.
 
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- NAKIYAH WASHINGTON continued her superb play, scoring 18 points on 6-of-9 from the field and 4-of-4 from the free throw line.
- EMILY WILEY scored 14 points on four three-pointers while grabbing nine rebounds. And recording a pair of blocks.
- AMARI PRICE scored 13 points, knocking down 6-of-8 from the free throw line while grabbing six rebounds.
- BRITTANY WALKER secured a team-high 13 rebounds in her final regular season game at Cave Arena.
- Fellow senior RAEGINE NEWKIRK tallied eight points and seven rebounds.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Piedmont shot 60% from the field, 5-of-8 from three-point range and made 12-of-13 free throws in the second half.
 
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.