DEMOREST — The Piedmont College Men's Basketball team won its sixth straight contest with a 78-65 win over Berea College, future USA South member.
The Lions tied the longest win streak since the 2009-10 season when the Lions won six straight from January 16-February 3, 2010.
It was a slow start for Piedmont as the Mountaineers took a 6-0 lead forcing Head Coach Greg Neeley to call a 30-second timeout, but the Lions got it in gear and a 5-0 run from PEYTON LUKEN put PC back in the game. Piedmont again trailed by six with 14:51 to play in the first half but tied the game at 11 on a pair of free throws by NICK RYAN.
A PEYTON LUKEN triple put Piedmont in the lead for the first time in the game at 14-13 but the Mountaineers once again stretched out the lead, this time leading by seven, their largest lead of the game. With just over seven minutes to go, TAYLOR MILLS, MALIK ABDULGADER and PEYTON LUKEN all hit 3-pointers as part of a 11-0 run to put PC in front for good.
The Lions led by four at the break 37-34, but the Mountaineers tied the game at 41 in the early minutes of the second half. Piedmont never trailed in the second half but Berea did cut the lead to just a single digit on a dunk by Dyonta Bizzle-Brown making it 50-49 with 10:41 to go.
It was never more than a three point lead until the Lions went on an 11-2 run including 3-pointers by TRAE GAINES and ELIJAH ALSTON as PC led by 11 points 66-55. The Lions went up by 12 on a TAYLOR MILLS 3-pointer as Piedmont hit a total of 11 3-pointers in the contest.
The largest lead of the game came on the final points as KELLY ASSINESI closed it out from the free throw line yet again banking a pair of shots inside the final minute. PEYTON LUKEN led the team in scoring with 15 points while ELIJAH ALSTON had a game-high and career-high 14 rebounds.
Turning Point
--Trailing by six 24-18 with 7:55 to play in the first half, Piedmont reeled off an 11-0 run that included three 3-pointers to take the lead and never trailed again past 5:27 to play in the first.
Standout Performances
--ELIJAH ALSTON recorded a career high 14 rebounds in the contest including six of Piedmont's 11 offensive boards.
--PEYTON LUKEN hit four 3-pointers in the contest leading the team with 15 points in the game.
Inside the Box Score
--Piedmont shot 57% from the floor in the second half while holding Berea to just 36% from the floor in the game.
News & Notes
--Piedmont tied the longest win streak since 2009-10 winning their sixth straight game.
Up Next
The Lions end their home stretch taking on Maryville at home on Monday at 7:30 p.m. inside Cave Arena.
