DEMOREST, Ga. – In a game that came down to the final shot, the Piedmont men’s basketball team was unable to convert at the end in a tough 72-71 loss to Belhaven. Piedmont came back after trailing by as many as 12 in the second half but could not complete the comeback.
The Lions were able to keep it to a single-digit deficit until the 8:19 mark in the first half when Belhaven took a 10-point lead. Piedmont clawed back to within five in the first half but trailed by nine at the break, 39-30.
In the opening minutes of the second half, Piedmont used a 7-0 run to pull within one, 43-42. The Blazers kept the Lions at bay and stretched the lead back to 12 with 10:45 to play, and the deficit proved to be too much down the stretch.
A Griffin Neville fastbreak layup made it a one-point game at 65-64 with 5:28 to play, and Neville again got it to one at 70-69 with 3:23 remaining.
In the final 3:05, just two points were scored on either side, with a pair of free throws for the Blazers and one jumper for Ryan Jolly.
Up next, the Lions will host Covenant on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
TURNING POINT:
–Piedmont was unable to convert inside the final 90 seconds after a made basket by Ryan Jolly to pull within one with 1:53 remaining.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
—Noah Reardon led Piedmont with 20 points as he made four 3-pointers in the game.
—Joe Helenbrook led the Lions in rebounds with seven while adding 14 points.
NEWS AND NOTES:
—Ryan Jolly was held to 10 points in the game, his lowest total of the season.
