NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 62, LaGrange 66
Records:  Piedmont, 5-8
 
LaGRANGE, Ga. – In the Piedmont University men's basketball team's first contest in 2022, the Lions had a hot start but were unable to hold on in a 66-62 loss at LaGrange. This game marked the USA South opener for Piedmont as the Lions move to 0-1 in league play. 

In the first half, Piedmont jumped out to a 17-10 lead, but the Panthers rallied back to tie the contest at 20. From there, the Panthers were on a run outscoring the Lions 19-9 over the final 7:17 of the first half to lead 39-29 at the break. 

Piedmont would outscore LaGrange in the second half 33-27, but it was not enough as the Panthers held on. It was a slow start in the second half as neither team converted a shot from the floor until the 16:10 mark. 

The Panthers stretched their lead to as many as 13 with just over 14 minutes remaining, but the Lions slowly began to chip away. AARON PALMER banked a 3-pointer to cut into the lead and give the Lions a spark. 

Trailing by 10 with under five minutes remaining, the Piedmont defense stepped up holding the Panthers to just a pair of free throws down the stretch. The rally came up just short as the Lions lost by four, but once again, Piedmont battled until the end. 

NOAH REARDON led the team with his 14 points while JORDAN FOOTE added 12 points and seven rebounds. WILL RICHTER was connecting from deep going 3-of-4 from behind the arc accounting for 11 points. 
 
TURNING POINT:
--After leading by as many as seven early in the contest, Piedmont fell behind by 10 points in the first half and could not overcome the deficit in the second half. 
 
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
--NOAH REARDON once again led the Lions with 14 points after a career-high 21 points in Piedmont's last contest. 
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
--This marked the first contest for the Lions in 2022 after multiple postponements to begin the second half of the season. 
 
UP NEXT:
--The Lions return home for the first time in 2022 hosting Huntingdon on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
 
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.