DEMOREST — The Piedmont College men's basketball team took the floor in Cave Arena for its home opener on Thursday night against Toccoa Falls College, taking the win, 91-88.
Trae Gaines notched the first points for the Lions with a three point play scoring as he was fouled less than a minute into the game. Justin Vallejo had a night to remember which started early as he put in a layup shortly after Gaines, Vallejo would go on to shoot 10-17 from the field.
The Lions would go on a ten point run halting the little offense that the Screaming Eagles had produced during the first eight minutes as PC led 18-4.
With under five minutes until halftime, the Screaming Eagles had come back within ten points when Cameron Williams landed a layup. As the clock ticked away, Toccoa Falls had come back and would go into the locker room with energy off a three-pointer just before the buzzer ending the half 44-38 in favor of the Lions.
With only thirteen seconds passed in the second half Williams netted a long three for the Screaming Eagles to close the gap further.
Both teams continued to battle with the Lions maintaining the lead until five minutes in the game when the Screaming Eagles tied it up at 75. Toccoa had the opportunity to take the lead after a missed three-pointer from Peyton Luken but senior Kelly Assinesi nabbed his third steal of the night on the ensuing possession drawing the foul to get to the line for two free points. This sparked a seven point run for the Lions and the Screaming Eagles were unable to close the gap again giving the Lions a 91-88 victory
