NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 83, Willamette 66
Records:  Piedmont, 5-2; Willamette, 3-6
 
SALEM, OR – Needing a win to escape the west coast with an even record, Piedmont University's men's basketball team put together a dominating performance on Saturday afternoon to defeat the Willamette University Bearcats 83-66.
 
Senior JORDAN FOOTE led the way again as he notched his second double-double in as many days, this time by way of 27 points and 10 rebounds, both of which were game-highs.
 
Thanks to a fast start by Foote and company, the Lions blitzed the Bearcats early with a 27-3 run that spanned nearly nine minutes of action. A pair or three-pointers from senior WILL RICHTER ignited the run that led to a 31-10 Piedmont advantage.
 
From that point on the lead never dipped below 15 as the Lions managed to cruise to a much-needed win that saw everyone contribute.
 
As was the case with Linfield on Friday, Willamette was content with taking a high number of outside shots, but Piedmont's zone held the Bearcats to just nine makes on 38 attempts. Conversely, the Lions were selective with their deep shots, but were effective as they totaled six makes on just 11 shots from behind the arc.
 
Richter led the way from deep on 3-5 shooting while Foote, EVAN EASTON, a JUSTIN QUICK each connected on their only three-point attempt in the game.
 
Quick (18), Richter (13), and Easton (11) all joined Foote in double figures in a balanced team win. Junior guard LOGAN CRANFORD also played a career-high 23 minutes off the bench while senior AARON PALMER and sophomore NOAH REARDON each played 11 minutes in long stints to provide a boost on the defensive end.
 
TURNING POINT:
-- Richter's back-to-back threes helped ignite the huge 27-3 Piedmont run that essentially created the winning margin early in the game.
 
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
-- JORDAN FOOTE tallied another double-double, his fourth in a row, with 27 points and 10 rebounds.
-- WILL RICHTER's 14-point performance is his fourth time scoring in double figures this season and was an important bounce back after being held scoreless at Linfield on Friday.

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
-- Piedmont was 54.5% from three-point range (6-11) and 57.1% from the field. In the first half alone, the Lions shot 77.3% (17-22) from the field.
 
UP NEXT:
-- The Lions are back home on Tuesday, December 14, to take on Johnson & Wales (N.C.) at 6:30 p.m. inside Cave Arena.
 
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.