NEED TO KNOW:
Score: LaGrange 76, Piedmont 64
Records: Piedmont, 14-13; LaGrange, 19-7

LaGRANGE, Ga. - Piedmont women's basketball saw its bid to repeat as CCS Tournament Champions thwarted on Friday night with a 76-64 loss at top-seeded LaGrange in the CCS Tournament Semifinals in LaGrange, Georgia.

While the Lions had control of the game early with a lead at the half, the Panthers stormed back with a furious fourth quarter rally to take the win.

Despite the loss, CCS Rookie of the Year Kylie Watkins was a dominant force in the contest, leading the Lions with 18 points to go with 11 rebounds, seven assists, four steals and two blocks. Alexandria Willis was also a force, securing her eighth double-double of the season, adding 12 points and 12 rebounds, while also supplying three blocks and three steals. Riley Bryan was the third and final Lion in double figures, with 10 points.

Piedmont was much more efficient shooting in the first quarter, led by six points from Hayley Borino in the opening 10 minutes of game action. The Lions shot 7-of-13 as a team while holding LaGrange to just 5-of-20. However, the Panthers hung close and trailed 17-15 going to the second quarter.

Watkins put her stamp on the game in the second quarter, helping the Lions to a quick 7-0 run to jump in front 24-15 early in the period. LaGrange responded by cutting its deficit to one midway through the quarter, but the Lions lengthened out the lead once again and went to the locker room ahead 41-34.

After the Lions led by as many as 12 points early in the second half, the Panthers immediately flipped the script, using an 11-0 run to get within a point. LaGrange briefly took the lead at one point in the third quarter, but Piedmont held steady and went to the final 10 minutes ahead 54-51.

Unfortunately, the Panthers opened the fourth quarter on an 8-0 in under two minutes and never looked back as the Lions saw their offense go cold in the final minutes.

The loss ends Piedmont's bid to repeat as CCS Tournament Champions.

TURNING POINT:
- LaGrange outscored Piedmont 25-10 in the decisive third quarter.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Kylie Watkins approached a triple-double in a dynamic performance, scoring 18 points while adding 11 rebounds, seven assists, four steals and two blocks.
- Willis produced her team-best eighth double-double of the season (12 pts, 12 reb).

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- The Panthers outscored the Lions 12-5 at the free throw line.

NEWS AND NOTES:
- This marks the role reversal of last year's CCS Tournament, where the top-seeded Lions defended their home floor, defeating LaGrange in the semifinals with a dominant second half.

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.