NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 81, LaGrange 65
Records: Piedmont, 8-5 (4-0 CCS); LaGrange, 8-5 (2-2 CCS)

DEMOREST, Ga. - Behind another strong second half performance, Piedmont women's basketball pulled away from LaGrange late for an 81-65 victory inside Cave Arena Thursday night.

Four-time CCS Player of the Week Andelin Hill continued her dominant season with another big time performance, scoring a career-best 24 points to go with 15 rebounds. This marks her third 15+ rebound performance in a row.

Three more Lions reached double figures in support of Hill, with Kennedi Henson delivering a season high 12 points to go with nine rebounds. Kelsey Banks delivered a number of big shots in the second half, scoring 11 points and a pair of three-pointers while Alexandria Willis added 10 points and five rebounds in just 19 minutes of action.


 

Big day for the Lions rolling 81-65 over LaGrange to move to 4-0 in the CCS! pic.twitter.com/SI7CJk706z

— Piedmont WBB (@PiedmontWBB) January 15, 2025

The game followed a familiar script of late, with Piedmont falling behind in the early going before an offensive explosion in the second half allowed them to come away victorious. The Lions trailed by as many as seven points in the first quarter, but used a 6-0 run late in the opening 10 minutes to make it just a one-point deficit going to the second.

Both teams went back-and-forth in a tightly contested second quarter, but a Banks layup in the final minute gave Piedmont a 31-29 edge going to the break.

The scoring picked up from both sides out of halftime, with each side netting over 20 in the third quarter. Piedmont led 51-42 late in the quarter, but the Panthers held tough, using a 10-4 run to claw back into the game going to the fourth.

However, the final quarter saw the Lions take control, as they used a Banks three-pointer and a Henson putback to lead 66-58 with 5:42 remaining. From there, LaGrange was only able to get as close as six points, with Piedmont executing offensively and at the free throw line down the stretch.

Up next, the Lions will welcome Belhaven to Cave Arena for a Saturday showdown. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.

TURNING POINT:
- Piedmont scored 50 points in the second half to run away from the Panthers down the stretch.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Hill continued her incredible run, delivering her second consecutive game of 20+ points and 15+ rebounds.
- Henson added a season high for the second straight game, scoring 12 points.
- Nae-Nae Eades earned the start at point guard and dished out a career-best seven assists in the win.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Piedmont has scored 48 points or more in each of the last three second halves, all of them conference home wins.

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.