Piedmont women's basketball offense burning up national charts

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- The Piedmont College women's basketball team has been known for its defensive prowess in the past, but its the Lady Lion offense this season that is making noise, as one of the top-scoring teams in the nation, according to the NCAA's latest statistical ranking release.<br /> <br /> Piedmont ranks 8th amongst all Division III teams in scoring offense averaging better than 82 points per game, a major factor in the team's 9-1 start so far this season. The Lady Lions have scored 80 points or more in seven of its first ten contests this season including the last three straight with an 81-69 win over in-state rival Emory included in that stretch. <br /> <br /> Piedmont has picked up points from a number of different contributors as five different players have led Piedmont in scoring over its 10 games. Four times that single-game leading scorer has tabbed 21 points or more. <br /> <br /> Piedmont is no stranger to high national statistical rankings during the coach Jamie Purdy era, though usually it has come on the other end of the court -- with defense taking center stage. Three times, Purdy's teams have ranked in the top 40 of field goal percentage defense, including an all-time high ranking of 15th during the season of 2010-11, a team which was anchored by former All-American post presence Sada Wheeler (an East Hall High graduate). <br /> <br /> This is the second highest-ranking scoring offense that Purdy has coached in her 10 seasons, highest since her very first on the job when her team finished as the Division III statistical national champion in scoring offense. That 2004-05 team averaged 80.9 points per contest and also ranked 5th in the nation in scoring margin as well, outscoring its opponents by 21 points per game.<br /> <br /> The high-flying Lady Lions will be back in action on Friday night in Cave Arena as the Pacers of William Peace University travel for a USA South showdown in Demorest. Tip off is set for 7:30 p.m.