NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 88, Belhaven 87
Records: Piedmont, 5-3 (1-0 CCS); Belhaven, 3-3 (0-1 CCS)

JACKSON, Miss. - LAKEN STILES' offensive rebound and layup in the final seconds capped a wild and improbable comeback as the Piedmont women's basketball team opened Collegiate Conference of the South play with an 88-87 victory at Belhaven on Tuesday evening.

Trailing by 14 points entering the final quarter, the Lady Lions stormed back over the final 10 minutes, taking its first lead with 11 seconds remaining. With the Blazers clinging to an 87-86 lead with under 20 seconds remaining, Piedmont was able to steal a Belhaven inbounds pass as NAE-NAE EADES raced to the other end of the floor. While her layup was off the mark, Stiles was there for the offensive rebound and putback, giving the Lions their first lead of the contest. Belhaven's last second prayer at the other end fell short and the comeback was complete.

For the second time this season, ASHLEY SCOTT delivered a new career high, this time with 27 points on 4-of-8 from three-point range. Scott was joined in double figures by freshman RILEY BRYAN, who poured in 14 points in her second straight productive outing. Two-time CCS Player of the Week NAKIYAH WASHINGTON scored 13 points in just 14 minutes, adding four rebounds in the win.
 



The Blazers were able to establish control early on, racing out to an 11-2 lead in the first quarter. Piedmont trailed 24-14 at the end of the opening period and the deficit had stretched all the way to 45-33 at the break. The Lady Lions struggled shooting in the second quarter, connecting on just 6-of-18 in the period.

Belhaven led by as many as 17 points at various times in the third quarter, but Piedmont did not go away, setting the stage for the dramatic fourth quarter comeback.

Although the Blazers outscored the Lions in the first three quarters, Piedmont won the fourth quarter by a 31-16 margin. However, at the beginning stages of the quarter, the game still appeared to be squarely in Belhaven's hands.

Shantasia John's layup with 7:52 to play gave the Blazers a game-high 18-point lead at 79-61. However, Scott produced a quick seven points and an AVERY MCALLISTER layup got the Piedmont deficit back into single digits with just under five minutes to play at 81-72. Stiles' steal and layup capped an 11-0 Piedmont run and knotted the score at 81 apiece.

While Belhaven was able to briefly take back control with an 87-84 lead, the final four points went to the Lions as Stiles' layup proved to be the difference. 

Up next, Piedmont will break for over two weeks, before taking to the road to take part in the Mary Hardin-Baylor classic on Thursday, Dec. 29 at 6 p.m.

TURNING POINT:
- Piedmont used a furious rally in the final quarter to erase an 18-point deficit and win the conference opener.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Scott reached the 20-point mark for the second time this season, with a career-high 27 points on four three-pointers.
- Bryan tallied 14 points, reaching double figures for the third time this season. The freshman made two of Piedmont's final three field goals in the final minutes.

NEWS AND NOTES:
- This mark's Piedmont's second straight game with a one-point margin, as the team fell at No 11 Tufts last time out, on Dec. 4.

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