NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Belhaven 69, Piedmont 68
Records: Piedmont, 5-4, 0-1 CCS; Belhaven, 4-5, 1-0 CCS

JACKSON, Miss. - In the CCS opener for the Piedmont men's basketball team, Belhaven got the better of the Lions handing Piedmont a 69-68 loss. The Blazers used a second-half comeback to claim the win after Piedmont led by as many as 13 in the second half. 

The Lions were strong out of the gate building a quick 14-2 lead in the first six minutes of play. A 9-0 run by Belhaven got the Blazers back in the contest, but Piedmont was able to maintain the lead from that point on in the first half. 

Piedmont took a double-digit lead into the break 44-34, but Belhaven got two quick 3-pointers to start the second half and cut it to 44-40.

The Lions built it back to a 13 point lead with 14:20 on the clock as AARON PALMER converted a fastbreak layup. The Lions had just one basket from the floor over a six minute stretch midway through the second half as Belhaven raced back to make it a two point game 60-58. 

Piedmont held the lead until the game was inside six minutes to play when Belhaven took a 63-62 advantage. The two were tied at 66 with three minutes remaining, but neither team could put it away, leaving it down to the final possession. 

Belhaven converted on a second chance opportunity in their final look while Piedmont was unable to connect as time expired. 

Up next, the Lions will have a break for the holidays before returning to action in Atlanta on Thursday, December 29 taking on Berry. 

TURNING POINT:
--In the final 10 minutes of the contest, Piedmont was outscored 19-8 as the Blazers came back to earn the win. 

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
--WILL RICHTER led Piedmont with 17 points while NOAH REARDON added 13 off the bench.

NEWS AND NOTES:
--Piedmont led by as many as 15 in the contest and 13 in the second half. 

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