DEMOREST, Ga. – In the 2024-25 season opener, the Piedmont men’s basketball team rolled to an 85-62 win over Johnson and Wales inside Cave Arena. The Lions were led by graduate student Griffin Neville, who scored a career-high 16 points.
It was a low-scoring affair through the opening minutes as Piedmont led 10-7 at the 13:00 mark. The crowd came alive when Israel Hall picked off a pass in the backcourt and dunked it home with 7:54 remaining in the first half to give Piedmont a 20-12 lead.
First dunk of the season 🫡
Intercepted and thrown down by Israel Hall! pic.twitter.com/RqwkoU4EUV
— Piedmont Basketball (@Lions_MBB) November 16, 2024
The Lions maintained control heading into the break with a 39-30 lead at halftime. The Lions used a 6-1 run out of the break to lead by 14, 45-31, but JWU scored seven straight to make it a seven-point game.
The Wildcats remained in striking distance and brought the deficit to four with just over 10 minutes remaining in the contest.
Johnson & Wales scored a 3-pointer with 7:08 on the clock to make it 64-58, and that was the last basket from the floor that Piedmont would concede. The Lions went on a 17-0 run down the stretch to lead by as many as 23, 81-58. The Wildcats made four free throws in the final seven minutes as Piedmont outscored JWU 21-4 in the final seven minutes of action.
Griffin Neville led Piedmont with a career-high 16 points while Dylan Patrick added 13, with nine of those coming in that final push for the Lions.
And not to be left out, Dylan Patrick also joined the party 🫡 pic.twitter.com/w2TbsK8JGI
— Piedmont Basketball (@Lions_MBB) November 16, 2024
Up next, Piedmont will host Sewanee on Tuesday, November 19 inside Cave Arena at 7 p.m.
𝟭-𝟬 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝘃𝗲 ✅ pic.twitter.com/yrqGbn50YN
— Piedmont Basketball (@Lions_MBB) November 16, 2024
TURNING POINT:
–A 17-0 run in the final seven minutes helped the Lions seal the deal and earn the decisive victory.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
–Graduate student Griffin Neville posted a career-high 16 points in the contest to lead the Lions.
Lions roll to an 85-62 win behind a career-high 16 points for Griffin Neville!
Hear from the senior standout on Saturday’s season-opening victory! pic.twitter.com/R6yfxuZX7B
— Piedmont Basketball (@Lions_MBB) November 16, 2024
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
–Four of Piedmont’s five starters ended the game in double-figures.
–Piedmont totaled 29 bench points in the game.
–The Lions dominated the turnover battle, committing just three while forcing 14.
