MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Playing its 2015-16 USA South opener, the Piedmont College women's basketball team picked up a key basket in the waning moments to survive 72-67 against the Hawks of Huntingdon College on Sunday afternoon.
The contest was even throughout much of the afternoon as each team had a quarter in the first two outscoring the other by five points before only a one-point separation existed between the two in the final two quarters.
However, it was a five-point margin in overtime that confirmed the win for Piedmont on the road as the Lady Lions sealed it from the charity stripe with eight of the team's 12 points in overtime coming from the free throw line.
Piedmont would not have been in the extra period had MARY KATE RUSHTON not knocked down a three-pointer with 13 seconds left to tie the game and force the bonus basketball in Montgomery. Rushton's three came as part of a 22-point performance for the senior who led all scorers on the afternoon.
By virtue of the win, the Lady Lions have now won their last three USA South openers under Head Coach Jamie Purdy with their only loss in a USA South season debut coming in the team's first year in the league.
