NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 70, Berry 61
Records: Piedmont, 1-0; Berry, 0-1

DEMOREST, Ga. - The Piedmont women's basketball team used a massive fourth quarter run to storm back and defeat Berry, 70-61, on Saturday evening at Cave Arena in the team's home and season opener.

Led by 15 second-half points from graduate transfer KLAIRE VARNEY, the Lady Lions outscored the Vikings, 24-6, in the final period to take control of the contest. Piedmont was 9-of-17 from the floor in the fourth quarter and held Berry to 1-of-11 during the rally.

Varney led all Lady Lions with 17 points total while also adding four rebounds, four assists and four steals. She was joined in double figures by newcomer KYRIAKI TAYLOR, who anchored the frontcourt with 12 points, eight rebounds and three blocks. Senior LIVIA SKINNER pitched in, filling up the box score with 12 points, five assists, four rebounds and three steals.

Both teams started the game slowly on the offensive end as they combined four just seven field goals made in the first quarter. Piedmont led by a 12-11 margin after the first 10 minutes with Skinner's three-pointer marking the first field goal of the season for the Lady Lions.

Over the last 4:21 of the first half, Berry used a 15-6 run to build a five-point advantage heading to the locker room. The Vikings took advantage of 15 Piedmont turnovers in the first half to build their lead and shot 52% from the floor in the opening 20 minutes.

Coming out of halftime, the Vikings continued their momentum, outscoring the Lady Lions 24-16 in the third quarter to increase their lead to 57-44 heading to the final 10 minutes.

However, from there, Piedmont used stifling defense to hold Berry to just four points the rest of the way, as it roared back in the final period. Trailing by 13 points with 8:49 to play, EMILY WILEY banked in a three-pointer to cut Piedmont's deficit to 10. From that point, the Lady Lions scored the game's next 13 points and took the lead at 60-59 on Varney's layup with 5:35 to play.

The Lady Lions never trailed again, winning the game going away, as the Vikings did not score for the last 3:33.

Piedmont was rock solid from the free throw line, converting 20-of-25 from the stripe, including making 7-of-9 in the fourth quarter.

Up next, the Lady Lions are back in action again tomorrow as they conclude the USA South/SAA Classic, taking on Oglethorpe at 3 p.m.

TURNING POINT:
- Wiley's banked three-pointer sparked a 16-0 run in which Piedmont went from trailing by 13 to leading by three over 3:31 of game action.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- In her first game as a Lady Lion, KLAIRE VARNEY did it all, leading the team with 17 points to go with four rebounds, four assists and four steals.
- Also playing her first game in the green and gold, Taylor went 5-of-8 from the floor, scoring 12 points while adding eight boards and three blocked shots.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- The Lady Lions forced 28 turnovers from Berry, with 15 coming in the second half.

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.