NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 74, Maryville 62
Records: Piedmont, 6-2 (2-0 USA South); Maryville, 2-6 (1-3 USA South)

DEMOREST, Ga. - LIVIA SKINNER poured in 24 points to lead the Piedmont women's basketball team past Maryville, 74-62, on Tuesday night at Cave Arena.

The Lady Lions took the lead just over two minutes into the contest and never looked back, controlling the game for much of the second half as the Scots were unable to mount a rally.

The win marked the 300th of Head Coach Jamie Purdy's career at Piedmont. She picked up her 300th overall win during the 2019-20 season at LaGrange.

Skinner continued her outstanding play of late, as the senior from Rome, Georgia led all scorers with 24 points, knocking down 5-of-8 from downtown. She was helped by HOPE FRANKLIN, who notched her second double-double in a row and her fourth of the season with 14 points and 11 rebounds.



Maryville jumped on top first on a Courtney Carruthers three-pointer. However, the lead was short-lived for the Scots as Piedmont only trailed once after taking a 4-3 lead early in the first half. 

With the score tied at 17 heading to the second quarter, the Lady Lions took control with a quick 9-0 run to start the period and never looked back from there. Playing in her first game against her former school, graduate student KLAIRE VARNEY added seven points in the first half to support Skinner, who led the team with nine.

Skinner knocked down a three-pointer to open the second half scoring to give Piedmont a double-digit advantage. Piedmont led by as many as 17 points in the period at 55-38 before the Scots closed the gap slightly heading to the fourth quarter.

In the final quarter, Maryville was able to cut its deficit to as close as 10 points, but never any closer as Piedmont finished out its eighth win in its last 10 contests against the Scots.

Up next, Piedmont remains at home and will host Berea this Saturday, Dec. 11 at 2 p.m.

TURNING POINT:
- Piedmont outscored Maryville 23-14 in the second quarter to gain breathing room and never looked back.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Skinner added another stellar performance with 24 points to go along with four steals.
- Franklin delivered her fourth double-double of the young season with 14 points and 11 rebounds on 7-of-12 shooting.
- Maryville's Hannah Jones led the team with 21 points and nine rebounds in the loss.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Piedmont was able to build its nine-point halftime lead due to a tremendous advantage in the turnover battle. The Lady Lions forced 13 Maryville turnovers in the first half while committing just four.

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.