NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 83, Huntingdon 65
Records: Piedmont, 5-3 (3-0 USA South); Huntingdon, 2-3 (2-3 USA South)
 
DEMOREST, Ga. – The Piedmont women's basketball team led wire-to-wire and pulled away late to take down Huntingdon, 83-65, on Friday night at Cave Arena.
 
NAKIYAH WASHINGTON equaled her career high with 25 points and added eight rebounds and seven steals. She was joined in double figures by KARLA CANTRELL, who poured in a season-best 13 points. HOPE FRANKLIN recorded her fourth double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds in 27 minutes.
 
Washington's night started on the right note as she banked her first three-pointer of the season on the game's opening possession.
 
After the Hawks (2-3, 2-3 USA south) cut their deficit to 11-9 midway through the quarter, Piedmont (5-3, 3-0 USA South) responded with a 10-2 run to take a 10-point lead into the second.
 
The pace was frenetic throughout the second as both teams scored over 20 points. Huntingdon was able to slightly cut into its deficit and trailed 45-36 at the break. Washington was dominant across the board in the first half, scoring 18 of her 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting.
 
Huntingdon used a 7-0 run in the middle of the third quarter to cut Piedmont's lead to 54-49 with 4:26 left. However, five points was as close as the contest ever was as the Lady Lions scored the final five points of the period to lead by 10 heading to the fourth quarter.
 
Piedmont imposed its will in the final period as it held the Hawks scoreless until 6:21 remained in the game. Cantrell's layup with 4:28 remaining put the game out of reach, giving the Lady Lions a 74-55 edge.
 
Piedmont dominated on the interior throughout the night, securing 20 offensive rebounds and scoring 46 points in the paint.
 
Up next, the Lady Lions and Hawks will play again tomorrow, January 30 at 2 p.m. inside Cave Arena.
 
TURNING POINT:
- The Lady Lions outscored the Hawks 20-12 in the final quarter to pull away late.
 
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- For the fourth time in her career and second time this season, NAKIYAH WASHINGTON reached 25 points. The sophomore forward from Adairsville also added eight rebounds and finished one shy of a career high with seven steals.
- KARLA CANTRELL scored a season-high 13 points.
- HOPE FRANKLIN secured her fourth double-double of the campaign with 10 points and 10 rebounds on 4-of-4 from the free throw line.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- The Lady Lions forced 24 Huntingdon turnovers thanks to their intense pressure defense and turned those turnovers into 18 points and 18 fast break points.
 
NEWS AND NOTES:
- Piedmont is 3-0 to start USA South play for the fourth consecutive season.
 
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.