WHEATON, Ill. – The Piedmont men’s basketball team claimed the Lee Pfund Classic Championship with a win over Alma Saturday 80-71. Ryan Jolly led all scorers with 28 points and has scored 20 or more in all four contests this season.
In the opening minutes, it was all Jolly for the Lions as he scored 13 points before a single missed shot. Jolly was 4-of-4 from the floor to start the game including 3-of-3 from 3-point range through the first eight minutes.
Three-pointers were the key in the opening half as Alma was 10-of-24 scoring 30 of their 43 points from deep. Piedmont was able to capitalize on seven 3-pointers shooting 58% from deep to Alma’s 42% in the first half.
Piedmont held the edge 44-43 at the half but in the opening minutes of the second half, both teams were cold with just five combined points in the opening five minutes.
After 19 points in the first 12 minutes of the game, Ryan Jolly did not score again until the 13:33 mark in the second half. Jolly would total 28 points adding nine in the second half and possibly more importantly contributing five assists in the game.
Piedmont had a total of six players with eight or more points in the game as Joe Helenbrook was the lone additional Lion in double figures with 13 points. Helenbrook also led the way with nine rebounds while Fisher Darden added six.
Up next, the Lions will host Methodist on Saturday, November 25 at noon inside Cave Arena.
TURNING POINT:
–In the final minutes, Piedmont was able to hold off the Scots who came as close as five points in the final five minutes.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
–Ryan Jolly’s hot start to the season continued as the graduate student continues to impress with 28 points Saturday including 19 in the first half.
–Joe Helenbrook came up just one rebound shy of a double-double as he scored 13 points and added nine rebounds.
NEWS AND NOTES:
–Ryan Jolly was named the Will Landry MVP of the tournament and Joe Helenbrook was named to the All-Tournament team as well.
–Piedmont forced 16 Alma turnovers as the Lions have averaged forcing 20 turnovers per game.
