NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 69, Centre 72
Records:  Piedmont, 5-6
 
ATLANTA, Ga. – With Piedmont still working from a shuffled lineup, the Lions held tough against the Centre Colonels but came up just shy in a 72-69 loss. After trailing by just one at the break, Piedmont fought till the end but the Colonels held on for the victory. 

The Lions jumped out to an early lead with a 10 point advantage in just over 10 minutes of play as ANDREW STIMPSON banked a 3-pointer to make it 21-11. The Piedmont defense held the Colonels to just 11 points through the first 10 minutes of play. 

Centre came alive from that point with a 12-2 run to surge back and tie the game at 23. It was back-and-forth in the final minutes of the first half with Centre taking a 35-34 lead into the break. 

Piedmont was first on the board in the second half with a quick JUSTIN QUICK 3-pointer on the Lions' first possession to claim the lead. The Lions led by as many as five in the opening minutes of the second half including five straight points by Stimpson. 

The Lions led by two with 12:46 to play but that was the last lead Piedmont would hold. Centre led by seven with 4:06 to play, and though the Lions charged back to cut it to one multiple times, they were unable to complete the comeback.

Stimpson led Piedmont with 16 points and 11 rebounds with four Lions in double figures. Quick and WILL RICHTER scored 15 points each while NOAH REARDON added 10 points. 
 
TURNING POINT:
--Piedmont led by two after a JOE HELENBROOK basket with 12:46 to play, but from that point on, Piedmont would only come as close as tying the contest down the stretch.
 
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
--ANDREW STIMPSON led the Lions with 16 points, a season-high for the senior guard. 
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
--NOAH REARDON made his first start as a Lion after an impressive performance against Stetson in the exhibition contest before the holidays. 
 
UP NEXT:
--The Lions remain in action in Atlanta Thursday taking on Oglethorpe. 
 
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