NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 67, Maryville 52
Records: Piedmont, 14-7 (10-2 CCS); Maryville, 7-12 (6-4 CCS)
DEMOREST, Ga. - Piedmont women's basketball overcame a slow start to roll past Maryville 67-52 on Tuesday night inside Cave Arena.
Despite putting up only six points in the opening quarter, the Lions roared back by dominating the final three quarters to sweep the season series with the Scots and improve to 10-2 in CCS play.
Five-time CCS Player of the Week
Andelin Hill delivered another dominant performance, leading all scorers with 17 points and 15 rebounds while adding four assists, two steals and two blocks as well. Her frontcourt mate
Alexandria Willis also pitched in a double-double, with 12 points and 12 rebounds, while protecting the rim with three blocks to lead the team.
Brooklyn Begley caught fire from beyond the arc, knocking down three three-pointers and scoring 11 points.
Piedmont's offense was ice cold in the early stages, going just 2-of-14 from the field in the opening quarter.
While Maryville was able to extend its lead to 14-6 early in the second quarter, the Lions turned it on with a quick 9-0 run to grab the 15-14 lead. The teams then proceeded to go back-and-forth in a defensive struggle with Piedmont taking a 27-24 lead to the break.
Although the Scots blitzed the Lions to start the second half with a 9-4 run to take a 33-31 lead, Piedmont answered back with a strong run to end the third quarter, capped off by a pair of Hill layups to make it a 46-39 lead heading to the final quarter.
Following the trend of dominating in the fourth quarter of home conference games, Piedmont left no doubt by quickly pushing its lead to 49-39 early in the period before withstanding a Maryville run in the middle of the quarter.
After the Scots cut the Piedmont lead to 52-48 with 5:17 left, the Lions outscored them 15-4 the rest of the way, as the Lions were a rock solid 12-of-15 at the free throw line over the final 10 minutes.
Up next, the Lions will host Wesleyan on Senior Day with tipoff scheduled for this Saturday, Feb. 8 at 2 p.m.
TURNING POINT:
- Piedmont closed strong, with a 15-4 run over the final five minutes and change of the game.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Hill now has a double double in every Piedmont home game except one, in which she played only 12 minutes. The senior from Blairsville led all players with 17 points and 15 rebounds and was a perfect 7-of-7 from the foul line.
- Willis produced her third double-double of the season and second in CCS play.
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.
