NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 91, Covenant 74
Records: Piedmont, 12-11 (5-5 CCS); Covenant 8-15 (4-6 CCS)

DEMOREST, Ga. - The Piedmont men's basketball team cruised to a 91-74 win over Covenant Friday evening inside Cave Arena. RYAN JOLLY led the way with a season-high 29 points against the Scots. 

Piedmont was dominant from the start racing out to a 22-4 lead holding Covenant to just four points in the opening eight minutes of action. The Lions built as large as a 23 point lead in the first half, though the Scots clawed back over the final minutes. 

The Lions used a 10-0 run to close out the half to take a 48-25 lead into the break after a buzzer beating 3-pointer by RYAN JOLLY. 

Piedmont maintained a 20+ point lead over the opening minutes of the second half and led 78-53 with 9:27 to play. Covenant used a 12-0 run to cut their deficit to 13 with 6:25 to play, and got as close as 12 points inside the final five minutes, but Piedmont's defense shut down the threat. 

The Scots scored just five points in the final four minutes of play while Piedmont made 10-of-12 free throws in the final 4:05.

The win marked the second of the season over Covenant as Piedmont won 80-54 at Covenant earlier this year. 

The Lions will be in action Saturday at home hosting Berea on alumni day with tipoff at 4 p.m.

TURNING POINT:
--The Lions used a 22-4 run to start the game to take a dominant lead out of the gate. 

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
--RYAN JOLLY posted a season-high 29 points to lead the Lions. 

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.