MARSHALL, Texas – Behind a season-high 23-point effort from Kylie Watkins, Piedmont women’s basketball gave East Texas Baptist a scare, but ultimately fell 65-62 on Friday night in Texas.
Playing the first of two games in two days on their Texas trip, the Lions fell behind by double digits early, but were undeterred, battling back multiple times during the contest.
Fresh off her second consecutive CCS Rookie of the Week honor, Watkins had her best all-around game as a Lion on Friday, leading all scorers with 23 points on 10-of-14 shooting while adding five rebounds as well. Ava Hunter was the only other Lion to reach double figures in scoring, adding 11 points in 23 minutes off the bench and also pulling down five boards.
After Watkins put the Lions on the board first, the Tigers scored the next eight points in a row and took a 15-8 advantage into the second quarter.
ETBU knocked down back-to-back three-pointers to stretch its lead to 21-8 early in the second quarter, but the Lions kept battling and cut their deficit to 30-22 going to the break.
The third quarter belonged to Piedmont, with the Lions chipping away at their deficit and eventually taking the lead on an and-one from Alexandria Willis.
Unfortunately, the Lions allowed ETBU to use a 14-4 run through much of the final quarter to retake control of the game. While a late three-pointer from freshman Emma Lightsey gave the Lions a glimmer of hope in the late stages, they ran out of time in the three-point loss.
Up next, Piedmont will be back in action early Saturday, taking on LInfield in a neutral site battle tomorrow at 1 p.m. (EST).
TURNING POINT:
– ETBU outscored Piedmont 15-8 in the opening quarter, putting the Lions in an early hole.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
– Two-time CCS Rookie of the Week Kylie Watkins delivered a season-best 23 points on 10-of-14 shooting for the Lions.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
– The Lions held their own on the glass, owning a 38-36 rebounding advantage for the game.
