NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 78, Huntingdon 66
Records: Piedmont, 7-5 (3-0 CCS); Huntingdon, 5-7 (1-2 CCS)

DEMOREST, Ga. - Piedmont women's basketball used another strong second half offensive performance to pull away from Huntingdon late and win 78-66 inside Cave Arena Thursday night.

Andelin Hill, Ava Hunter and Nae-Nae Eades led the way for the Lions, with the trio accounting for 60 of the team's 78 total points. 

Hill was especially strong, posting a career-high tying 22 points and new career best of 16 rebounds in just 27 minutes of action due to foul trouble. Newcomer Ava Hunter delivered her Piedmont career-high 19 points and 10 rebounds, her first career double double in a Lions uniform. The senior Eades brought scoring punch from the backcourt, with a career-best 19 points including a perfect 9-of-9 from the free throw line.


 

Career-best night for Nae-Nae Eades with 19 points off the bench!

Lions roll to a 78-66 win over Huntingdon to move to 3-0 in the CCS! pic.twitter.com/hhStPqbQqc

— Piedmont WBB (@PiedmontWBB) January 10, 2025

For the second consecutive contest, it was a sluggish offensive start for the Lions, who fell behind 8-2 quickly out of the gate. However, they were able to quickly erase the deficit with an 8-0 run to lead 10-8. Neither side was able to pull away throughout a first half defensive struggle, as Hunter was fouled as the first half time expired and made 1-of-2 at the line to make it 30-29 Piedmont at the half.

While the Hawks were able to hang around through the early part of the third quarter, Piedmont used an 18-4 run over the final 5:01 of the quarter to build an insurmountable 17-point edge going to the final 10 minutes.

Although Huntingdon was able to claw back and make it a single digit lead for the Lions at times, it was not enough as Piedmont closed out the game making six consecutive free throws.

Up next, the Lions will now host LaGrange next Tuesday, Jan. 14 at 5 p.m. inside Cave Arena.

TURNING POINT:
- The Lions used an 18-4 run over the final 5:01 of the third quarter to take control of the contest.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Hill delivered her seventh double double of the season, matching her career high of 22 points and setting a new career best with 16 rebounds.
- Eades tallied a career-high 19 points thanks to a rock solid 9-of-9 at the foul line.
- In just her fifth game with the Lions, Hunter tallied season highs in points (19), rebounds (10) and blocks (3).

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Piedmont held a positive assist/turnover ratio, with 15 assists and 14 turnovers.
- The Lions have now scored exactly 78 points in each of their last two games.

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.