NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 62, Maryville 68
Records: Piedmont, 15-4; Maryville 12-2

DEMOREST, Ga. - After trailing by as many as 22 in the game, the Piedmont College women's basketball team came up just short in its rally efforts Sunday as Maryville won the USA South West Division Championship 68-62. The Lady Lions were led by HOPE FRANKLIN who had a double-double with 23 points and 18 rebounds. 

In the first quarter, the two were tied at four but the Scots began draining 3-pointers and building a lead. Maryville totaled four 3-pointers in the first quarter and used an 11-0 run to create the distance early. 

Piedmont had a pair of back-to-back 3-pointers in the period as NAKIYAH WASHINGTON banked one followed by LU WOOLFOLK on the ensuing possession. 

The second quarter was much of the same as the Lady Lions connected on just three shots from the floor adding six points from the free throw line. Maryville outscored Piedmont 22-13 in the second quarter to lead 47-25 at the break. 

The Lady Lion defense was able to hold the Scots to just seven points in the third quarter, but still only managed 13 points cutting the lead to 54-38 at the end of three. Piedmont managed to add 24 points in the fourth quarter but the late run was too much to overcome the deficit. 

Piedmont trailed by 16 to start the fourth quarter but used a 15-2 run late to make it a four point game with less than a minute remaining. The Scots made 5-of-6 free throws down the stretch to seal the Lions' fate. 

TURNING POINT:
--The Scots used a hot start to take control of the contest early holding a 25-12 lead after the first quarter. 

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
--HOPE FRANKLIN led the team with an impressive 23 point, 18 rebound performance. 
--LIVIA SKINNER added 16 points with three 3-pointers. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
--Maryville forced Piedmont into 17 turnovers in the game to 13 Scots' turnovers. 
--Both teams ended with eight 3-pointers with five of Piedmont's coming in the second half while Maryville had just one. 

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