ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. – Piedmont women’s basketball fell to Southern Virginia, 54-49, on Saturday afternoon in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.
In the defensive slugfest, the Lions were able to hold the Knights to just 30.4% shooting and forced 27 turnovers. Unfortunately, they were unable to find enough offense to get over the top.
Two-time CCS Player of the Week Andelin Hill was one of only two Lions in double figures, scoring 12 points and grabbing a team-high 12 rebounds in the loss. Nae-Nae Eades delivered 11 points in just 19 minutes off the bench, shooting 4-of-7 from the field.
Although it was only a five point margin of victory, all four quarters were decided by at least five points.
The Knights came out of the locker room on fire defensively, holding Piedmont to just five first quarter points to take a 14-5 lead into the second.
However, the Lions found their offensive footing in a strong second quarter, outscoring SVU 19-9 to take a 24-23 edge into the second half.
Piedmont held close throughout most of the third quarter before the Knights reeled off a 9-3 run over the final 3:10 of the period to lead by double digits going to the final 10 minutes.
While SVU pushed its lead to 47-35 early in the fourth quarter, Eades delivered a personal 4-0 run to cut the Piedmont deficit to just four points. However, the Lions only cut the deficit to three, coming with 1:34 to go, before the Knights shut the door on the comeback.
Up next, the Lions have one more game in Rocky Mount, with a true road contest against N.C. Wesleyan tomorrow at 1 p.m.
TURNING POINT:
– Southern Virginia took control of the contest with a 22-11 advantage in the third quarter.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
– Piedmont’s Andelin Hill delivered her fourth double double in her past five games, with 12 points and 12 rebounds to lead the team.
– Nae-Nae Eades added 11 points off the bench.
– UNG transfer Ava Hunter made her Piedmont debut, scoring five points and pulling down three rebounds in 10 minutes off the bench.
