NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Huntingdon 64, Piedmont 61
Records: Piedmont, 9-11 (6-5 CCS); Huntingdon, 11-10 (8-4 CCS)

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Playing its second game of a grueling three games in three days stretch, Piedmont women's basketball could not overcome Huntingdon in a 64-61 loss on Saturday afternoon in Montgomery, Alabama.

The Lions held tough throughout the game, but a pair of fouls in the final possessions allowed the Hawks to escape with the win.

It was a balanced scoring attack for Piedmont, with seven players scoring between five and 13 points. The group was led by Alexandria Willis, who tallied 13 points to go with a dominating 15 rebounds to lead all players. Willis was a force defensively, adding a team-high four blocks, including one down the stretch that gave the Lions life. Kylie Watkins finished one point shy of a double double and three assists shy of a triple double, with nine points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. 

The first quarter saw a number of momentum swings, as Piedmont raced out to a quick 11-4 lead before Huntingdon battled back to lead 13-12. However, the Lions added another strong sequence late in the quarter, with an 8-0 run to end the quarter highlighted by three-pointers from freshmen Watkins and Lily Conkell.

Unfortunately, the Lions saw their offense go cold in the second quarter, going 2-of-19 from the field as the Hawks poured in 24 points and went to the locker room leading by double digits.

The wild swings continued in a third quarter that saw the Lions completely reverse course and outscore the Hawks 18-6 to climb right back into the game. After a pair of free throws from Riley Bryan in the final seconds of the third quarter, Huntingdon went to the final quarter leading 45-44.

Although Piedmont led briefly in the early part of the fourth quarter, Huntingdon rallied behind its home crowd and took control late, leading by as many as six points. Piedmont continued to fight, eventually tying the score at 61-all after a floater from Bryan with 36 seconds remaining. However, from there, the Hawks earned a decisive trip to the free throw line as the Lions looked for a turnover and a chance to win in regulation.

The Lions will have one more game on the grueling road trip, heading to Mississippi to battle Belhaven tomorrow, Feb. 8 at 2:30 p.m. (ET).

TURNING POINT:
- Huntingdon iced the game at the free throw line in the final minute.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Willis's 13-point, 15-rebound double double marked her sixth of the season as her 15 rebounds tied her career high.
- Watkins approached a triple double, with nine points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.

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.