MACON, Ga. – Piedmont women’s basketball continued its winning ways, dispatching Wesleyan with an 81-53 CCS road win on Tuesday night in Macon, Georgia.
The Lions took control with a dominant performance across the second and third quarters, outscoring the Wolves a combined 45-17 over the middle 20 minutes of action.
Junior Alexandria Willis led the way offensively, with her second double double in her last three games, pouring in 17 points and grabbing 13 rebounds to lead the team in both categories. Ava Hunter also delivered a strong performance to help Willis in the frontcourt, totaling 16 points and adding three steals.
Riley Bryan and Brooklyn Begley also cracked double figures, each scoring 10 points and contributing on the glass. Begley pulled down a season-high eight rebounds while Bryan added six rebounds of her own and was efficient from the floor, going 4-of-5 from the field.
Five-time CCS Rookie of the Week Kylie Watkins contributed in many ways, tallying nine points but also adding eight rebounds, five assists and four steals in the win.
The first quarter was a back-and-forth battle with the lead changing hands multiple times. Bryan’s layup in the final seconds flipped the game in favor of the Lions, 18-17, going to the second quarter.
Piedmont took advantage of the momentum and raced out ahead of the Wolves, winning the second quarter by a 24-8 margin to take a 42-25 lead into the break.
Out of halftime, Piedmont continued to pour it on, pushing the lead to as many as 29 points and led 63-34 heading to the final quarter.
Although the Wolves held tough in the final 10 minutes, the Lions put the finishing touches on their third consecutive CCS victory and first road conference win of the season.
Up next, the Lions will play a pair of CCS road contests this weekend, first battling Maryville this Friday, Jan. 16 at 4 p.m. before taking on Covenant on Lookout Mountain on Saturday, Jan. 17 at 2 p.m.
TURNING POINT:
– Piedmont outscored Wesleyan 24-8 in a dominant second quarter that saw it establish a double digit lead it held the rest of the way.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
– Willis delivered her team-leading fourth double double of the season, leading the team with 17 points and 13 rebounds.
– Begley delivered her second double figure scoring game of the season, with 10 points and a season-best eight rebounds.
– Freshman Emma Lightsey connected on a team-high three three-pointers, posting a season-best nine points.
