FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A buzzer-beater by Kwannita Janvier of Johnson & Wales was the difference today in the Piedmont College women's basketball team's first game at the Cruizin Classic as the Lady Lions fell to the Wildcats 78-76.
Before her game-winning three-pointer, Janvier had connected on a two-point try to close the Piedmont lead down to just a single point opening the door for the Wildcats who were able to connect on the game-winning shot as time expired. The Lady Lions led nearly the whole way with the Wildcats not taking their first lead until less than six minutes remained in the 3rd quarter.
Brianna Barrett led the way with her 15 points on the afternoon shooting 50% from the floor and also leading the team with her seven assists, a season high for the junior local product.
The Lady Lions led by eight at the half, but a strong 4th quarter by the Wildcats helped close the gap as PC was outscored by six in the final period. Piedmont shot better than 44% from the floor and held the Wildcats to just 16% shooting from distance but the 4th and final three-pointer than Johnson & Wales connected on handed them a win over the Green and Gold by two.
Turning Point
-- Kwannita Janvier's buzzer-beating three-pointer that put the Wildcats in front for just the second time on the afternoon as Johnson & Wales only claimed the lead twice in the contest, once in the 3rd quarter and again on the final shot of the contest.
Standout Performances
-- Barrett scored two short of her season high with 15 points on 4-of-8 shooting from the field as she hit on all six free throw tries as well...Barrett also pulled down six boards and led the team with 7 assists.
-- Johnson & Wales was led by Nicole Dixon who had 23 points and eight rebounds as she shot 9-of-20 from the floor.
Inside the Box Score
-- Piedmont's bench again was productive outscoring the Wildcats reserves 37-13 though Johnson & Wales held the scoring edge in the paint, 42-32.
-- The Wildcats' first lead in the contest came at the 5:50 mark of the 3rd quarter as Dixon's lay-up made it 46-44 though PC reclaimed the lead on a CARLIE SHIELDS jumper just over 20 seconds later.
News & Notes
-- This was Piedmont's debut in the Cruizin Classic which includes 16 teams from across the country all playing in the Sunshine State.
Up Next
Piedmont will play Webster University tomorrow in its second of two games at the Cruizin Classic with tip-off in the December 19 game coming at 11:00 am. No live stats will be available in the neutral site match-ups, but pay-per-view live video will be with coverage links available here.
