DEMOREST, Ga. – The Piedmont women’s basketball team snapped its losing streak with a 76-51 win on Saturday afternoon at Cave Arena.
Playing their final game of 2023, the Lions used a strong defensive first half to jump out to an early lead and never look back, ending nonconference play on a high note.
Once again, it was a balanced scoring attack from Piedmont, as 14 different players found the scoring column. The group was led by a pair of seniors, as Ashley Scott scored a team-high 13 points on 3-of-6 from beyond the arc while adding three steals and three rebounds. She was joined in double figures by Laken Stiles, who delivered 12 points with a team-best four assists.
The Lancers led once during the game, at 3-2, before Piedmont slowly took control.
Leading by four going into the second quarter, the Lions stepped up their defense, holding Worcester State to just seven points in the second quarter to lead 32-20 at the break.
Piedmont was able to push the lead to 42-25 early in the third quarter before the Lancers fought back to make it a single-digit game at 42-33 thanks to an 8-0 run. However, after a Piedmont timeout, the Lions were able to extend their lead to 48-34 going to the final quarter.
The fourth quarter saw the Lions blitz the Lancers and erase all doubt, with a 9-2 run early in the period with a Scott three-pointer and multiple free throws from Stiles. Piedmont led by as many as 27 points in the final quarter, coasting to the victory.
Up next, the Lions are set to begin CCS conference play, hosting LaGrange on Friday, Jan. 5 at 5 p.m.
TURNING POINT:
– Piedmont held the Lancers to just seven points in the second quarter to build a double-digit lead and take control of the contest.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
– Scott delivered a breakout game, scoring 13 points on 3-of-6 from downtown.
– Freshman Alexandria Willis totaled eight points on 4-of-5 shooting while grabbing seven rebounds.
