NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 67, Huntingdon 64
Records: Piedmont, 5-8 (2-2 CCS); Huntingdon, 7-7 (4-1 CCS)

DEMOREST, Ga. - Piedmont women's basketball captured its second straight CCS victory, overcoming an early deficit in a hard-fought 67-64 triumph over Huntingdon Saturday at Cave Arena.

Gracie Deetz continued her standout play of late, setting a new bar with a career-best 24 points to go with eight rebounds, three steals and two blocks. Freshman standout Kylie Watkins showed up in a big way in the second half, scoring most of her 16 points while also adding eight rebounds. Riley Bryan delivered her first career double-double, adding 11 points to go with a career-high 10 rebounds.


 

The standout freshman showed up big ??

Hear from Kylie Watkins after the hard-fought win over Huntingdon! pic.twitter.com/pf9wpOxnVb

— Piedmont Lions (@PiedmontLions) January 10, 2026

Although it was a slow offensive start for the Lions, they turned up the tempo on the Hawks in the second quarter and played lockdown defense in the fourth quarter to eke out the victory.

Huntingdon raced out to a quick 9-1 lead just over three minutes into game action and carried a 20-13 advantage into the second quarter.

However, that was where the Lions turned up the intensity, forcing 11 turnovers from the Hawks and turning many of them into fastbreak points. 

Trailing by four at 39-35 at the break, the Lions owned a dramatic rebounding advantage in the third quarter, to hang close to Huntingdon. Piedmont owned an 18-8 edge on the glass including seven offensive rebounds.

The fourth quarter saw the pace slow for both teams on the offensive end. Piedmont tied the score on an Alexandria Willis free throw at 57-57 nearly two minutes into the final period. From there, neither team scored until the 3:34 mark of the quarter, as the Hawks retook the lead. The lead then changed three times in the next 30 seconds, bookended by a pair of Watkins three-pointers.

In the final minutes, Piedmont's stifling defense proved to be the difference while Deetz sealed the game at the free throw line to make it a 67-64 final margin.

Up next, the Lions will take to the road and battle Wesleyan looking for their frist CCS road win. Tipoff is slated for this Tuesday, January 13 at 5 p.m.

TURNING POINT:
- Piedmont forced 11 Huntingdon turnovers in a frenetic second quarter that made the game close the rest of the way.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Deetz continued her strong play, scoring a career-best 24 points to go with eight rebounds.
- Watkins made a pair of critical three-pointers late in the fourth quarter, totaling 16 points and eight rebounds.
- Bryan led the team with a career-best 10 rebounds while adding 11 points in her first career double double.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Piedmont dominated the glass, with a 46-35 rebounding advantage for the contest.

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.