DEMOREST, GA -- After an extended week off from classes, the Lady Scots found both their classes and their basketball schedule back on track as they traveled to Piedmont College Tuesday night. Piedmont, off a big win over conference opponent LaGrange, sat atop the GSAC as they welcomed the Lady Scots to town.
The host Lady Lions got off to a quick start as they hit 3 of their first 4 shots and pushed the lead to 10 points with 2 free throws from the dominant Piedmont post Sada Wheeler at the 12:48 mark in the first half. Covenant continued to struggle from the floor, missing close shots inside 5 feet. This, coupled with 12 first half turnovers, led to a halftime score slanted in favor of Piedmont 34-19. Even though the score at half was in favor of Piedmont, the Lady Scots had managed to smother the Lady Lions, limiting them to only 37% from the floor and only 33% from behind the arc. Piedmont separated themselves from Covenant with 10 made free throws in the first half, contributing to two thirds of their lead. The Lady Scots were led through the first 20 minutes by freshman Jessie Blankenship and sophomore Kiaira Cooper who scored 7 and 4 points, respectively.
The second half had the same style of play to it. There was good defense on both sides which led to only 17 points being scored by both teams in the first 10 minutes. Piedmont's lead grew to 24 before finally ending at 20 as the game finished with a very low score of 56-36. The Lady Scots defense continued to be stifling as Piedmont shot only 34.4% from the field and did not hit a 3 in the second half. Blankenship and Cooper finished with 11 and 8 points, leading the Lady Scots.
"I continue to be pleased with where our team is defensively," commented Head Coach Corey Mullins. "Over the past six games, we are only giving up 59 points per game. That is good enough to give ourselves a chance to win. Tonight, we had a game plan and we stuck to it. Give Piedmont credit- they are a good defensive team. But we have to continue to develop confidence offensively. We got a lot of shots around the goal. We just have to take advantage of the opportunities we create for ourselves. Right now, we are lacking the confidence to do so."
Up next for the Lady Scots is Maryville College Thursday night at 6:00pm in Barnes Physical Education Center.
