NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Winthrop 78, Piedmont 56
Records: Winthrop 1-1, Piedmont 0-1

ROCK HILL, S.C. - The Piedmont University men's basketball team faced Winthrop on the road Wednesday in a non-counting Division I exhibition. The Eagles won the contest 78-56 but the loss will not reflect on the Lions' schedule. 

Piedmont was able to hold tough in the first half after falling behind 12-0 to start the game. The Lions trailed by as many as 19 in the first half, 34-15, before chipping away at the lead and making a push before halftime. 

The Lions used a rally in the final 1:35 of the first half as they trailed 43-27, but a 7-0 run to head into the break made it a nine point game, 43-34.

Piedmont whittled the lead to six with an ORRY CLEMENTS-OWENS 3-pointer to open the second half, but that was as close as the Lions would get in the contest. The Eagles held Piedmont scoreless from the floor for a four minute stretch while they opened the lead to 57-41.

The defense held tough in the final 10 minutes as Winthrop made just four baskets from the floor while converting 5-of-9 from the free throw line.

Up next, Piedmont will be on the road this weekend for the Black Tie Classic in Birmingham, Alabama taking on Mississippi University for Women and Birmingham Southern.

TURNING POINT:
--The Eagles used an 8-0 run early in the second half to build a 16 point lead 57-41 to take control of the contest. 

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
--ORRY CLEMENTS-OWENS led Piedmont with 12 points while RYAN JOLLY added 10.
--Kelton Talford led all scorers with 23 points and 11 rebounds. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
--Piedmont's first two contests of the season were against opponents with the mascot "Eagles."
--Wednesday's stats will not count toward the season totals as this was a non-counter for the Lions. 

HOW TO FOLLOW:
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