NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 65, Brevard 61
Records: Piedmont, 11-9 (6-7 USA South); Brevard, 5-16 (4-10 USA South)
 
DEMOREST, Ga. – The Piedmont College men's basketball team won its fourth straight game on Wednesday night, defeating Brevard, 65-61, at Cave Arena.
 
The Lions (11-9, 6-7 USA South) overcame a slow start to the first half and held off a furious Brevard (5-16, 4-10 USA South) rally to escape with the victory.
 
Freshman guard JAKE SMITH came off the bench to score a career-high 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting including two three-pointers. EVAN EASTON also tallied 14 points, making all eight of his free throw attempts on the night.
 
After the Lions led in the opening minutes, Qadhafi Turner's three-pointer just over two minutes into the contest gave the Tornados a 5-4 lead. From there, Brevard shut down the PC offense, holding the Lions to three of their first 17 from the floor.
 
The Tornados led by as many as 11 points midway through the first half before PC used a 12-0 run to lead, 23-19, with 3:27 remaining in the half. However, Brevard's Cannon Lamb banked a pair of three-pointers in the final minutes of the half as the Lions took a 31-30 lead to the locker room.
 
Neither team was able to separate early in the second half, but Piedmont used a 10-2 run midway through the half to build a 53-45 advantage. The Lions were able to hold the Tornados at arm's length for the next few minutes, holding as 61-51 lead after Smith's layup with 1:54 left.
 
However, Brevard battled back, forcing three consecutive Piedmont turnovers to cut its deficit to 63-61 with 46 seconds remaining. The Tornados' Levi Lamb had a long three-pointer to take the lead with seven seconds left sail wide before Easton secured the rebound and sealed the game with a pair of clutch free throws.
 
Up next, the Lions will travel to Covenant to battle the Scots on Saturday, Feb. 8 at 4 p.m.
 
TURNING POINT:
- Needing a stop with a two-point lead and under 10 seconds remaining, Piedmont forced Levi Lamb into a deep, contested three-pointer and secured the rebound before Easton iced the game at the free throw line.
 
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- JAKE SMITH eclipsed his previous career high by 11 points, tying for the team lead with 14 for the game.
- EVAN EASTON knocked in all eight of his free throws and also poured in 14 points for the Lions.
- JORDAN FOOTE secured his fourth straight double-double, scoring 12 points to go with 13 rebounds.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- The Lions dominated the rebounding battle, collecting 53 compared to Brevard's 38.
 
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.