DEMOREST, Ga. – The offense rolled for men’s basketball as Piedmont took down LaGrange 113-106 in the CCS conference opener Friday inside Cave Arena. Ryan Jolly led Piedmont with 32 points while also adding eight rebounds and nine assists.
It was a tight game throughout as Piedmont built an eight point lead in the first half with 4:02 remaining, but LaGrange rallied with eight straight to tie the game at 45 with less than three minutes till halftime. The Lions were able to surge ahead at the break to lead 56-54 after a pair of free throws from Bailey Wiseman.
Piedmont opened the second half on a seven point run capped by a Jolly 3-pointer to make it 63-54. LaGrange kept it to a single-digit deficit until Ryan Jolly banked a pair of free throws to lead 73-63.
That lead was quickly erased by the Panthers who took their only lead of the second half with 10:12 to go, 78-77. The Lions reclaimed the lead and never looked back, leading by as many as 13 down the stretch.
The Panthers made it interesting inside the final minute of play scoring 10 points but the comeback was too late.
Fisher Darden posted a career-high 23 points while Noah Reardon added a season-high 22. Devin Dean and Bailey Wiseman were also in double figures with 14 and 11, respectively. Joe Helenbrook and Jolly led Piedmont with eight rebounds each.
Up next, the Lions will host Huntingdon on Saturday at 4 p.m. on alumni reunion day.
We’ve got some guys that can play! 😏
Another 100+ point performance for the Lions and another 30+ point night for Jolly! pic.twitter.com/lgzYI4Q7Ta
— Piedmont Basketball (@Lions_MBB) January 6, 2024
TURNING POINT:
–Piedmont built a 13 point lead with 4:38 remaining in the game and held on for the seven point victory after the Panthers got as close as five in the final seconds.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
—Ryan Jolly was just two rebounds and an assist away from a triple double as he topped 30+ points for the second time this season.
NEWS AND NOTES:
–This is the fourth time this season the Lions have scored over 100 points and the second-highest point total all season.
