NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 80, Berry 70
Records: Piedmont, 2-0; Berry, 1-2

ROME, Ga. - The Piedmont women's basketball team is off to a 2-0 start to the 2022-23 season after an 80-70 road win over Berry on Sunday afternoon as the CCS/SAA Classic concluded.

The Lady Lions used a 26-16 run in the second quarter to take control of the contest and never looked back, leading the entirety of the second half.

For the second consecutive game, Laken Stiles and Nakiyah Washington provided scoring punch for Piedmont. Stiles delivered a career-high 15 points on Sunday after going for a then career-high 13 on Saturday. The junior guard knocked down a team-high three three-pointers and was 5-of-9 overall from the field. Washington filled the stat sheet, tying Stiles for the team lead of 15 points to go with 10 rebounds, six assists, four steals and two blocks.

The teams battled back-and-forth in the early going as the game went into the second quarter tied 17-all. However, the Lady Lions made their move with an offensive explosion headed into halftime. Piedmont used a 15-7 run over the final four minutes of the first half to take a 10-point advantage into the break.

Colby Reed scored six of her 12 points off the bench during the stretch to help spark the run.

As a team, the Lady Lions held a 35-16 edge in bench points.

While the Vikings were able to claw back into the contest with a strong third quarter, the Lady Lions were able to hold the lead the rest of the way. The fourth quarter saw Berry get no closer than eight points away from a tie as Piedmont iced the game away at the free throw line.

The Lions knocked down eight free throws in the final 10 minutes to sweep the weekend.

Up next, Piedmont will be on the road next weekend at the Emory Classic, starting with a neutral site matchup next Friday, Nov. 19 against Lynchburg.

TURNING POINT:
- The Lions closed the first half with an offensive explosion, taking a 10-point lead into the break that gave them control of the contest the rest of the way.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Washington delivered her first double-double of the young season, tying for the team lead with 15 points to go with 10 rebounds, six assists and four steals.
- Stiles totaled a career-best 15 points on three three-pointers.
- Reed was the team's leading scorer off the bench for the second straight day, pouring in 12 points on a pair of three-pointers.

NEWS AND NOTES:
- The win marked Piedmont's sixth straight over Berry.

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