NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 74, Agnes Scott 35
Records: Piedmont, 9-3 (3-1 USA South); Agnes Scott, 0-12 (0-6 USA South)

DECATUR, Ga. - In its first game action in two weeks, the Piedmont women's basketball team returned to the court in style, cruising to a win at Agnes Scott, 74-35, on Thursday night in Decatur.

Balance was the theme of the night for the Lady Lions, as 14 players saw game action and all of them made at least one field goal in the comfortable victory.

The Scotties took the lead 2-0 on the first possession of the game, but Piedmont's BENTLEY CRONIC answered with a three-pointer on its first possession and the Lady Lions led the rest of the way. Piedmont took its first double digit lead of the contest late in the first quarter but an Agnes Scott run cut the tally to 21-13 heading into the second.

The second quarter was where the Lady Lions broke free, using a 10-0 run midway through the period to build a 31-14 advantage, while taking a 41-19 lead into halftime. During the first half, Piedmont forced 21 of Agnes Scott's 31 turnovers for the game while only committing five of its own. Cronic led the team with seven first-half points.

Both offenses struggled from the floor in the third quarter, but the Lady Lions defense did the job, holding the Scotties to just six points in the period. 

The fourth quarter was more of the same, as Piedmont iced away its third consecutive victory and improved to 3-1 in the USA South.

Cronic was the only Lady Lions to reach double figures, delivering a team-high 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting. The sophomore fell just shy of her career high of 14 points, also coming against the Scotties, last season. Junior guard CARA CRUMP led the way with three assists while adding five points. Reigning USA South Player of the Week LIVIA SKINNER added eight points off the bench, on 4-of-6 shooting in just 12 minutes of action.

Up next, the Lady Lions are scheduled to take on Wesleyan on the road next Tuesday, Jan. 18 at 6 p.m.

TURNING POINT:
- While the Scotties hung tough early on, Piedmont's 10-0 run in the second quarter allowed it to break free and cruise to the 39-point victory.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Freshman HANNA CARROLL made her Piedmont debut, scoring seven points on 3-of-6 shooting including her first career three-pointer as a Lady Lion.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Piedmont delivered a balanced rebounding effort, as 13 of the 14 players who entered the game recorded at least one rebound. Crump and COLBY REED led the team, each grabbing four.

NEWS AND NOTES: 
- The win moved Piedmont to 30-5 all time against Agnes Scott. The win Thursday gives the Lady Lions a 20-game win streak over the Scotties

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.