DEMOREST, GA. – The Piedmont men’s basketball team fell to the Asbury Eagles on Thursday night despite a late rally by a final score of 78-71.
It was a night of anticipation in Cave Arena as Fisher Darden entered just six points away from a career milestone of 1,000 points for his career in the green and gold, and he would achieve it while sparking a rally for the Lions.
Asbury would race out of the gate with the lead as they shot well from behind the arc with Cam Jones leading the charge. The Eagles would build strong in the first half as they made eight total threes. Piedmont would not be able to contend with the pace, and the deficit of a 37-23 lead at half would be too great for the rallying Lions to overcome in the second half.
The offense for Piedmont needed a spark in the second half, and Fisher Darden provided it. Seven minutes into the half, Darden would find himself deep in the corner and sought a rally starter. The senior launched a contested three, and it landed, moving his career total across the 1,000-point threshold at 1,001. His shot ignited the Lions as they sought to fight back into the game and proceeded to go on a 17-4 run, catapulting them back into the contest.
Despite outscoring the Eagles in the second half, the Lions could not overcome Asbury’s first-half lead as they ultimately fell by the final of 78-71.
Fisher Darden was the star of the night for the Lions as he led the team in points with 16. Three other Lions also had double-digit points, including a returning Jackson Houston.
Piedmont falls to 0-5 in CCS play, but with still plenty of schedule left, it looks to turn it around next time out on the road against the Belhaven Blazers on Jan. 31st at 5:00 p.m.
