NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Nazareth 78, Piedmont 65
Records: Piedmont, 3-6; Nazareth, 6-2

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - Piedmont women's basketball fell to host Nazareth, 78-65, in the Nazareth Holiday Tournament Championship on Sunday afternoon in Rochester, New York.

The Lions held steady through the first three quarters, but the Golden Flyers pulled away in the fourth quarter to take the title.

Gracie Deetz continued her strong play for the Lions, recording a season high in points for the third consecutive contest. She reached 20 points for the first time on Sunday, also connecting on all seven of her free throw attempts. However, she was not the team's leading scorer, with Alexandria Willis dropping a season-best 21 points on 9-of-12 shooting.

Although they were the only two in double figures for Piedmont, freshman Kylie Watkins produced a solid all-around game, scoring eight points while adding nine rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block.

The Golden Flyers were just out of reach of the Lions through most of the first half, leading the whole way but never by double digits as Piedmont kept in contact and trailed 40-36 at the halftime break.

Out of the locker room, Nazareth finally extended its lead to double digits with a quick 8-0 run. However, the Lions used a 7-0 run overlapping the end of the third and the start of the fourth quarter to cut their deficit to 57-54 with just under nine minutes to play.

Unfortunately, the Lions never pulled even with the Golden Flyers, falling by a margin of 78-65 to take home second place in the tournament.

Up next, the Lions will have over two weeks away from competition before returning to action at the Guilford Tournament in North Carolina on Monday, Dec. 29 against St. Mary's College of Maryland.

TURNING POINT:
- The Golden Flyers survived an early fourth quarter rally from Piedmont to take the victory.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Alexandria Willis delivered a season-high 21 points on 9-of-12 shooting in just 22 minutes of action.
- Gracie Deetz tallied a season-high 20 points and made all seven of her free throw attempts.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Piedmont once again won the turnover battle, committing just 17 while forcing 21 from Nazareth.

HOW TO FOLLOW:
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