NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 96, LaGrange 57
Records: Piedmont, 12-3 (5-1 USA South); LaGrange, 11-7 (6-3 USA South)

DEMOREST, Ga. - The Piedmont women's basketball team put forth a complete team effort on Saturday afternoon, racing past LaGrange 96-57 at Cave Arena.

The win marks the team's sixth in a row and put a halt to the Panthers' three-game winning streak. 

The Lady Lions led wire-to-wire and had complete control throughout, as they built a substantial early advantage and never looked back in the 39-point victory.

LIVIA SKINNER continued her superb season with another incredible performance. The senior from Rome, Georgia led all scorers with 18 points to go with four assists and four steals. She was joined in double figures by NAKIYAH WASHINGTON, who added 15 points while freshman NAE-NAE EADES delivered a season-best 10 points off the bench.



Unlike Friday night, the Lady Lions jumped out to a fast start, scoring the first 12 points of the game and holding LaGrange scoreless for the first four minutes. Piedmont led 20-2 with four minutes remaining in the opening period and scored 33 points in the first 10 minutes to build an insurmountable early lead.

The second quarter saw Piedmont catch fire from beyond the arc, as it made all five of its three-pointers for the game in the second 10 minutes to help it build a 62-28 lead at the break.

Although the Panthers fought hard in the second half, the damage had been done as the Lady Lions cruised to their sixth consecutive win.

Up next, Piedmont is back on the road as it will take on Covenant this Tuesday, Jan. 25 at 6 p.m.

TURNING POINT:
- Piedmont left no doubt early on Saturday, blitzing the Panthers with its pressure defense to build a 12-0 lead before LaGrange found the basket.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Skinner scored in double figures for the 12th time this season, pouring in 18 points with four assists and four steals.
- Washington added 15 points and five rebounds and earned 14 free throw attempts.
- All 13 players who appeared in the game for Piedmont scored.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- The Lady Lions forced 31 LaGrange turnovers including 17 in the first half.
- Piedmont converted those turnovers into 35 points and had 22 fast break points as well.

NEWS AND NOTES:
- The win extends the Lady Lions' winning streak over the Panthers to eight games.
- Piedmont has now won its last four games by an average of 39.3 points.
- For the second straight game, Assistant Coach Brad Cochran led the team in the absence of Head Coach Jamie Purdy.

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.