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Score: Coastal Carolina 88, Piedmont 86

CONWAY, S.C. - Ryan Jolly scored 27 points and Noah Reardon added 25 as the Piedmont men's basketball team nearly knocked off Coastal Carolina in an 88-86 Division I Exhibition loss in Conway Monday night.

The Lions led by a point at the half and made a furious second half comeback to lead in the final minute. However, the Chanticleers' Jimmy Nichols Jr. converted the game-winning layup with 13 seconds to go and Reardon's layup in the final seconds was just short as Coastal Carolina escaped.

In a fitting start to the contest, Jolly converted a pair of free throws in the opening minute to give Piedmont a lead it held for most of the first half.

Jolly and Reardon combined for 35 first half points as the Lions shot 17-of-34 (50%) from the field and 7-of-13 from long range to hold a 47-46 edge at the break.

It looked like the Chanticleers were about to pull away when they used a 15-5 run out of halftime to grab control at 61-52. However, the Lions were undeterred, fighting back to knot the game at 67 apiece thanks to a scoring outburst off the bench from sophomore Fisher Darden.

From there, the game was back-and-forth the rest of the way. Coastal led 85-80 with 2:46 to play, but a three-pointer and then two free throws from Joe Helenbrook brought the game back even.

Jolly then gave Piedmont an 86-85 lead with 1:23 left after knocking down 1-of-2 at the line, but it was the last lead Piedmont had, with Coastal Carolina converting the game-winner in the final seconds.

Up next, the Lions are set to begin their home slate, hosting Emory in their first game that counts this Sunday, Nov. 12 at 4 p.m. inside Cave Arena.

TURNING POINT:
- Coastal Carolina's layup with 13 seconds remaining was the decisive basket as Piedmont put real game pressure on the Chanticleers late.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Jolly scored a game-high 27 points to go with four rebounds, four steals and three assists while making 12-of-15 from the foul line.
- Reardon added 25 points on 5-of-9 from beyond the arc while grabbing six rebounds.
- Darden tallied 15 points off the bench, with 13 coming in the second half
- Helenbrook knocked down three three-pointers and totaled 13 points.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Piedmont forced 16 Coastal Carolina turnovers and only committed 10
- Coastal Carolina held a 53-37 rebounding advantage.

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