NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 66, Huntingdon 60
Records: Piedmont, 7-4 (1-1 CCS); Huntingdon, 5-7 (2-1 CCS)

DEMOREST, Ga. - The Piedmont women's basketball team picked up its first CCS win of the season, taking down Huntingdon 66-60 on Saturday afternoon inside Cave Arena.

In a back-and-forth battle, the Lions were able to separate in the final minutes and ice the game away at the free throw line.

Ashley Scott and Alexandria Willis paced the squad on Saturday, each pouring in 14 points. Willis tied for the team high with nine rebounds, falling just short of a second consecutive double double. Newcomer Kennedi Henson was the third and final Lion in double figures, adding 12 points to go with a season-high nine rebounds.


 

The Senior was undeterred!

Hear from Ashley Scott after a gritty CCS win on Saturday ?? pic.twitter.com/RaevIToMWk

— Piedmont WBB (@PiedmontWBB) January 6, 2024

The Hawks jumped out to an 11-4 lead in the early going, but the Lions fought back to get within two, trailing 17-15 at the end of the first quarter.

Huntingdon went ahead by six early in the second quarter, but again Piedmont battled back, with an 8-1 run to take the lead again. Back-to-back layups by Willis to finish the first half gave the Lions a 35-34 lead at the break.

Neither side led by more than four points in a tightly contested third quarter. Then, with the game knotted at 45-all, Scott was fouled shooting a three-pointer in the final seconds of the third quarter and then converted all three free throws to give the Lions a 48-45 lead with 10 minutes to play.

The Hawks took a 54-53 lead with 6:45 left in the contest. However, it was the last lead they held, as Piedmont was clutch at the free throw line, knocking down eight in a row to close out the game.

Up next, the Lions will be back on the road, battling Wesleyan this Tuesday, Jan. 9 at 6 p.m.

TURNING POINT:
- After trailing 54-53 midway through the final quarter, Piedmont closed the game on a 12-6 run to earn the victory.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Scott came up clutch at the free throw line to end the third quarter and tied for the team lead with 14 points.
- Willis came up a rebound shy of a double double, tying for a team high with 14 points.
- For the second straight game, Henson pulled in a season high in rebounds, grabbing nine on Saturday to go with 12 points.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Piedmont was 9-of-10 from the free throw line in the final quarter.

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 X: @PiedmontLions, Instagram: @PiedmontLions, and Facebook.