NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 84, SUNY Potsdam 51
Records: Piedmont, 3-5; SUNY Potsdam, 2-6

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -  Piedmont women's basketball jumped out to a big early lead and never looked back in an 84-51 victory over SUNY Potsdam in the opening game of the Nazareth Holiday Tournament Saturday night in Rochester, New York.

The win marked the first for the Lions away from home this season and it came in decisive fashion, with Piedmont blitzing the Bears in the opening quarter.

It was a wire-to-wire win for the Lions, who took their first double digit lead just under four minutes into the game and led by double digits the rest of the way.

Ava Hunter continued her recent success, tying for the team lead with 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting while also recording a pair of blocks. Gracie Deetz also delivered a strong showing, adding 16 points herself while pacing the team with eight rebounds to go with a pair of assists and steals.

The duo was joined in double figures by Kylie Watkins, who added 11 points, and Jaylah Ellison, who scored her first career points as a Lion and raced ahead to double figures with 10 points on 5-of-5 shooting in just six minutes off the bench.

Piedmont took care of the ball on the offensive end, committing just 13 turnovers while forcing 28 from the Bears. 

While the Bears held tough with the Lions in the second and third quarters after Piedmont took a 24-5 lead after one quarter, it was not enough, as Piedmont extended the margin back over 30 with a dominant fourth quarter.

Up next, the Lions will take on host Nazareth in the Holiday Tournament Championship tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m.

TURNING POINT:
- Piedmont erased all doubt with a dominant 24-5 scoring edge in the first quarter.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Hunter has now scored at least 16 points in three straight contests, and scored her 16 Saturday night in just 15 minutes of action.
- Ellison delivered a season-high 10 points.

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.