NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 66, N.C. Wesleyan 57
Records: Piedmont, 4-0; N.C. Wesleyan, 2-1

DEMOREST, Ga. - The Piedmont women's basketball team led most of the way and continued its perfect start to the season with a 66-57 victory over N.C. Wesleyan at Cave Arena Saturday evening.

Making her first start of the season, NAKIYAH WASHINGTON made her presence felt, scoring 20 points to go with eight rebounds in just 27 minutes of action. For the second consecutive game, LIVIA SKINNER delivered an outstanding all-around performance. The senior from Rome scored a season-best 21 points and added four more assists after contributing seven in Friday's win.



After an offensive explosion on Friday, defense was the key to Piedmont's victory over the Battling Bishops, who were held to just 32% shooting from the field. The Lady Lions also won the turnover battle, forcing 23 while committing just 16 against 12 assists.

Neither side was able to gain an advantage early on, as the game went to the second quarter tied at 16 apiece.

N.C. Wesleyan jumped out to a 22-18 lead early in the second quarter. However, the Lady Lions answered back and were able to gain the lead, taking a 35-31 edge to the locker room. Washington led the team in the first half, scoring 12 of her 20 points.

Piedmont raced out of the break, taking control of the contest with a 7-0 run over the first 2:33 of the third quarter. The lead stretched to as many as 13 while the Battling Bishops were held scoreless over the final 2:39 of the period.

The fourth quarter continued the momentum for Piedmont with a 9-0 run capped by a Skinner three-pointer. N.C. Wesleyan's scoreless drought ran until 5:09 left in the contest. However, the Battling Bishops fought back, cutting Piedmont's deficit to seven in the final minutes. The rally was too little, too late, as the Lady Lions held off the run to earn their fourth consecutive win to start the season.

Up next, Piedmont will take to the road, battling Alma on Nov. 27 in the Pat Deacon Thanksgiving Tournament, held in Lexington, Kentucky.

TURNING POINT:
- Piedmont used a 9-0 run to start the fourth quarter to put the game away.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Skinner delivered another great performance, scoring a team-high 21 points to go with four assists.
- Washington added 20 points on 9-of-17 shooting in her first start of the 2021-22 campaign.
- Varney was the third and final Lady Lion to reach double figures, scoring 16 points in the victory.

NEWS AND NOTES:
- The win marks Piedmont's first 4-0 start since the 2018-19 season.

HOW TO FOLLOW:
- To stay up to date on all information regarding Piedmont University 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.