JACKSON, Miss. – The Piedmont University men’s basketball team dropped a road contest Saturday at Belhaven 93-77. Ryan Jolly led Piedmont with 21 points, marking the first game since Piedmont’s last win that Jolly has put up more than 20 points.
The Lions were in the game early and led in the first half by as many as eight. Belhaven tied the game at 23 followed by the Lions tying it at 25, but that was the last time Piedmont would be within striking distance in the first half.
The Blazers went on a 9-0 run to take control and led 47-37 at the break. Piedmont got it to as close as three in the second half in the opening minutes, but Belhaven stretched the lead to as many as 18 with 10:48 to play in the game.
In the final 15 minutes of play, Piedmont was not able to get the deficit under double digits. Both Jolly and Devin Dean added seven assists in the game. Dean and Joe Helenbrook led the way with six rebounds each.
Up next, the Lions host Maryville on Tuesday inside Cave Arena at 7 p.m.
TURNING POINT:
–The Blazers used a 9-0 run late in the first half to break a tie and take control of the contest.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
—Ryan Jolly led Piedmont with 21 points making three 3-pointers in the game.
—Caleb Lesch added 11 points off the bench.
NEWS AND NOTES:
–Piedmont has dropped five straight games, all coming in conference play.
