NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 81, LaGrange 60
Records: Piedmont, 12-3 (10-0 USA South); LaGrange (8-3, 8-3 USA South)

DEMOREST, Ga. – Piedmont College's women's basketball team faced one of its toughest tests of the season on Tuesday night and emerged with a statement win over the LaGrange Panthers.
 
The Lady Lions (12-3 overall, 10-0 USA South) pulled away from the Panthers in the fourth quarter to earn an 81-60 victory for the team's 10^th straight conference win. With the win, Piedmont locked itself in as either the No. 1 or No. 2 seed in the upcoming USA South West Division Tournament.
 
As a result of earning a top-two seed, Piedmont will play host to another west division team in the semifinal round on Wednesday, March 3.
 
The Lady Lions entered the game at second in the west division standings, while LaGrange entered in third place with an 8-2 conference record. In a fast-paced game, it was the Lady Lions who took advantage early as a small 7-2 run to end the first quarter put Piedmont up by nine.
 
LaGrange responded with a run of its own to start the second quarter as a pair of three pointers from Gracie Brunel helped cut the Panthers' deficit to three points.
 
The teams traded baskets evenly for much of the second quarter, but again, a late 11-4 run from LaGrange cut the lead to one with only a minute and a half to play before the break. Neither team scored again after that as Piedmont entered the second half clinging to a one-point advantage.
 
A pair of NAKIYAH WASHINGTON free throws opened up the second half for the Lady Lions, which set the table for a 7-0 run for LIVIA SKINNER, who came on strong in the second half and finished with 20 points, 15 of which coming in the final 20 minutes.
 
Despite the burst from Skinner, LaGrange never let the margin exceed single digits and only trailed by six at the start of the fourth quarter.
 
Piedmont sprinted out to a 12-3 run to begin the final period and finally took a firm grasp of the game, one in which the Lady Lions never trailed. The Lady Lions held the Panthers to just three made field goals in the final quarter and outscored LaGrange 28-13 to put the finishing touches on a statement victory.
 
Washington led all scorers and set a new career-high with 31 points in the contest, 21 of which came in the second half. She also added 13 rebounds and nine steals, which both tie her previous career-highs.


TURNING POINT:
- A steal from NAKIYAH WASHINGTON in the backcourt led to a LAKEN STILES transition layup with 6:32 left to go, putting Piedmont up by 11. It was the first time the Lady Lions' lead had reached double digits all game, and it never sunk to single digits again.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Piedmont netted 30 points off turnovers compared to just 15 for LaGrange. The Lady Lions also scored 14 points in the fast break while allowing zero quick points from the Panthers.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- NAKIYAH WASHINGTON tallied a career-high 31 points and tied her previous career-highs with 13 rebounds and nine steals.
- LIVIA SKINNER finished with 20 points while adding four steals, four assists, and contributing timely baskets to get the second half rolling for Piedmont.
 
UP NEXT:
- Piedmont finishes the regular season with a conference blockbuster as the Lady Lions travel to take on 12^th-ranked Maryville College on Saturday (6:00 p.m.) and Sunday (3:00 p.m.). Both teams will enter at 10-0 in conference play with the No. 1 seed for the USA Divisional Tournament on the line.

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