NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Huntingdon 96, Piedmont 74
Records: Piedmont, 8-6; Huntingdon 8-7

DEMOREST, GA— The Piedmont men's basketball team fell to the Huntingdon Hawks Saturday evening by a final score of 96-74.

The Hawks shot well all evening and outpaced the Lions in a crucial second half.

Huntingdon started the scoring behind a Tyler Mallory layup, as the standout for Huntingdon would pace the rest of the game. Piedmont would answer with back-to-back shots from Israel Hall, with one landing for two and the other being a three-pointer. Hall looked to continue to build off of his impressive showing on Tuesday and looked to be on the path to do so throughout the first half.

Both teams traded blows as they stole the lead back and forth in the half. With 10 minutes to go, the Hawks would take a 25-23 lead, and despite their best efforts, the Lions would not be able to regain the lead. With every shot from the Lions, the Hawks had an answer as they carried a one-point lead into the locker room with a 47-46 score.

Fisher Darden once again came alive for the Lions as the senior appears to be hitting his stride heading into conference play with 12 first-half points. 

Coming out of halftime, the Lions looked to stoke the fires of a rally, but they were quickly snuffed out as Huntingdon raced out to a 61-50 lead bolstered by a 14-4 run in the first five minutes of the half. Huntingdon continued playing solid all-around defense as they kept Piedmont off of the board.

Dylan Patrick and Darden would try to fight off the ropes for the Lions, but a backbreaking 21-7 run would end the Lions' chances as Huntingdon would come away with a win and a final score of 96-74.

Piedmont competed and shot well in the first half but could not find the spark in the second, ultimately falling to Huntingdon. 

TURNING POINT:
- A 21-7 run started with just under 10 minutes left that pushed the Hawks ahead.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Fisher Darden stayed hot as he led the team with 18 points.
- Though covered and protected against all night, Dylan Patrick pushed past the defense to gather 15 points. 

HOW TO FOLLOW:
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