NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Southern Virginia 92, Piedmont 80
Records: Piedmont, 5-4; Southern Virginia, 8-2

DEMOREST, Ga. - The Piedmont men's basketball team could not keep pace with the Knights of Southern Virginia in a 92-80 loss on Thursday. The contest marked the final home game of the 2024 year. 

Southern Virginia held control through much of the first half, leading by as many as 12 with 8:20 to play. Piedmont struggled offensively in the first half, scoring 28 points to trail 39-28 at the break. 

The Lions began a rally in the second half with seven straight to start the period making it a 39-35 game. SVU jumped back out in front by 14 quickly, but the Lions continued to claw back. 

Piedmont got the deficit to as few as two on a 3-pointer by Zach Oechsle with 7:01 remaining, but an 8-0 run by the Knights kept momentum on the side of Southern Virginia. The Knights led by as many as 16 down the stretch before the 92-80 victory. 

Up next, the Lions will break for Christmas before heading to Washington & Lee for tournament action facing Centre on December 29. 

TURNING POINT:
--A pair of steals by the Knights' Kade Harrick helped swing momentum to the side of SVU and create an 11-point lead with just over 10 minutes remaining. 

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
--SVU's Eli Ballstaedt scored 30 points to lead all athletes with 12 of those coming from the free throw line. 
--Bailey Wiseman led the Lions with 21 points, a career-high for the senior. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
--Just two Knights went to the free throw line converting 19-of-21 from the charity stripe. 

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.