NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 78, Lynchburg 73
Records: Piedmont, 3-0; Lynchburg, 1-3

ATLANTA, Ga. - The Piedmont women's basketball team rallied past Lynchburg, 81-73, to improve to 3-0 on the season and take the first game of the Emory Classic on Saturday evening in Atlanta.

Despite trailing by nine at the half, the Lady Lions scored 54 second-half points to overtake the Hornets in the final quarter.

LAKEN STILES delivered a career high for the third consecutive game, scoring 17 points to go with six assists and five rebounds while COLBY REED came off the bench to lead the team with a career-best 19 points on four three-pointers.

Piedmont made 15 free throws in the second half after making just one in the first half and also shot 10-of-13 and a perfect 4-of-4 from beyond the arc in the final 10 minutes.

The first quarter was controlled by the Hornets, who led by as many as nine points and took a seven-point lead into the second quarter at 19-12.

After falling behind by double digits early in the second quarter, the Lady Lions used a quick 9-0 run to cut its deficit to 24-22. However, from there, Lynchburg was able to regain control, with a 14-5 run to go to the locker room with a 38-27 lead. 

Like it did in the first two games of the season, Piedmont exploded on the offensive end in the third quarter, using its pressure defense to create turnovers and opportunities from the free throw line. The Lady Lions were able to gradually cut into the Lynchburg lead throughout the third quarter, cutting its deficit to 53-51 with 10 minutes to go.

Piedmont was undeterred by a quick 5-0 run by the Hornets to begin the fourth quarter as Stiles answered with a big three-pointer. After CARA CRUMP's wing three-pointer tied the score at 63 apiece, the Lady Lions took their first lead on a fastbreak and-one three-point play from NAE-NAE EADES.

From that point forward, the Lady Lions did not trail as Reed's dagger three-pointer gave Piedmont a 75-68 lead with 1:22 remaining. WIth 12 seconds left, Stiles put the exclamation point on the win by knocking down two more free throws for her new career high.

Up next, Piedmont will conclude the Emory Classic, playing host Emory tomorrow at 5 p.m.

TURNING POINT:
- Piedmont outscored Lynchburg 21-10 over the final 5:01 of game action to grab the victory,

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Reed knocked down a pair of big three-pointers in the final quarter, leading to her career-high 19 points.
- Stiles notched a career high for the third straight game, with 17 points on 3-of-4 from behind the arc.
- Eades also delivered a career high, with 11 points off the bench, including the go-ahead three-point play in the final quarter.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Piedmont was 10-of-13 from the field and 4-of-4 from the three-point line in the final 10 minutes.
- Piedmont forced 21 Lynchburg turnovers and committed just 16, against 16 total assists.

NEWS AND NOTES:
- This marks the second straight season in which the Lady Lions have started 3-0.
- In its three games so far this season, the Lions have scored 81, 80 and 80 points.

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