PC scored first on a Gabby Arencibia three-pointer and never relinquished the lead throughout the game opening up a double-digit advantage just over five minutes into the game to earn a second straight win with both victories coming less than 24 hours apart.
Piedmont used that Arencibia tri-fecta to open up a 14-0 run over the first 6:49 of the game as Agnes Scott struggled to start against the PC defense in the Scotties' home gym. However, the home team found their footing going on a run of their own scoring nine straight starting and ending with three point buckets from the Scotties' Shavonne Orr as ASC cut the lead down to five.
Agnes Scott would keep the Piedmont lead to single digits from that point on until PC was able to push their advantage to 10 when Carly Sales' layup with 34 seconds to play in the first period made the visitors' lead 32-22 heading into the break. Despite the Scotties' efforts in the first half to keep the Lady Lions in striking distance, Piedmont Head Coach Jamie Purdy said the right things at halftime as PC turned up the heat defensively and scored quickly coming out of the locker room as the visitors' lead would dip into single digits only once more on the night.
That moment came with 12 minutes to go in the contest when Orr again connected on a try from the field, this time a two-point jumper that cut the Piedmont lead down to nine at 42-33. However, the Lady Lions responded with a Julianne Bayer bucket moments later as Piedmont went on an 11-1 run over the next three minutes capped off by a Mary Kate Rushton fast break layup.
Piedmont allowed only nine points to the Scotties over the final seven minutes of the game going up by 21 late on a layup from Rushton with 1:29 to go. The Lady Lions took the eventual 69-47 decision after hitting free throws down the stretch to earn a second straight win on the season with both of those wins coming over Georgia-based schools including last night's win over Toccoa Falls College.
Freshman Brianna Barrett continues to dazzle in her debut season with the Lady Lions as the local product led the squad with her 12 points hitting on half of her eight tries from the field. Adding four steals to her totals, Barrett was two of four from downtown as was teammate Gabby Arencibia who scored Piedmont's first three points on the night.
The Lady Lions scored 24 points off 28 Agnes Scott turnovers created by the pressure of the Piedmont defense. However, the story continues to be the depth of the Lady Lions as their bench once again outscored the opposing side's reserves by a considerable margin doing so tonight with 39 points off the bench compared to 19 for the Scotties.
Scoring ten each was Mary Kate Rushton and Symone Ball as the two combined to go eight for 19 from the field. Leading the team in assists was Taylor Swoszowski who had three on the night to just one turnover while also scoring a half dozen points, four of which came from the free throw line. Second on the list of assists was Charlotte Lewallen who tallied two helpers and led the team with her six rebounds on the evening with four of those coming on the offensive end.
Piedmont will look to keep its winning streak alive as they host another member of the Southern Athletic Association in the Cave with Birmingham Southern College coming to Demorest on Saturday. BSC is the second SAA member to come to Cave Arena this season after Centre College came to town for Piedmont's season opener. Tip-off this Saturday with the Panthers of Birmingham Southern is set for 2 p.m.
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