NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 81, Methodist 73
Records: Piedmont, 4-3; Methodist 0-6

DEMOREST, Ga. - Clinging to a four point lead with five minutes remaining, the Piedmont Lions needed a spark down the stretch and AARON PALMER proved to be it in an 81-73 win for Piedmont over Methodist. Palmer scored Piedmont's final 10 points from the floor giving him a career-high 15 points Sunday. 

Palmer was getting it done on both ends of the court as he provided three key blocks down the stretch as well to keep the Monarchs at bay. 

Piedmont was hot from the start jumping out to a 12-0 lead to start the game and held a 21-7 lead with 11:35 to play till halftime. The Monarchs began to chip away and cut into the lead but the Lions held a 45-32 advantage at the break. 

The Monarchs were first on the board in the second half and cut the lead to nine in the opening minutes. Methodist got no closer than seven points until a 6-0 run made it 67-63 with Piedmont clinging to a four point lead with 5:31 to play. 

Head Coach Greg Neeley called a 30 second timeout to settle the team, but the Monarchs made it a three point gap, 69-66, after another 3-pointer. Three-pointers kept the Monarchs in the contest as they had just four in the second half but three of them came in the final six minutes. 

Piedmont scored six straight to end the contest with a basket by Palmer and both RYAN JOLLY and ORRY CLEMENTS-OWENS converting a pair of free throws. 

Up next, the Lions host Birmingham-Southern on Saturday inside Cave Arena at 6:00 p.m. That contest will mark the final contest at home for Piedmont before the calendar turns and the Lions return home on January 3, 2023. 

TURNING POINT:
--AARON PALMER helped the Lions secure the win down the stretch as he was electric in the final five minutes with 10 points and three blocks. 

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
--RYAN JOLLY led all scorers with his season-high 25 points including going 12-for-12 from the free throw line.
--AARON PALMER was clutch off the bench with a career-high 15 points as he scored Piedmont's final 10 points from the field.

NEWS AND NOTES:
--Piedmont is now 2-0 at home with wins over Oglethorpe and Methodist. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
--Four players scored in double-figures for Piedmont including Jolly, Palmer, Clements-Owens and WILL RICHTER. 

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.