Women’s Basketball
The Piedmont women’s basketball team fell short in their Nov. 8 opener against Oglethorpe University, losing 78-65.
The Lady Lions struggled in the first half, shooting 10-of-37 from the field (27%) as Oglethorpe led 32-27. Piedmont bounced back in the second half, shooting 13-of-30 (43%), but the Stormy Petrels kept pace, shooting 57% in the second half en route to a 78-65 win.
Junior forward Alexandria Willis led the Lions with 18 points and eight rebounds, shooting 8-of-11 from the free throw line. Senior guard Riley Bryan scored 14 points, and freshman forward Kylie Watkins had a standout debut, contributing 12 points, including two 3-pointers, and collecting seven rebounds. Watkins also earned CCS “Rookie of the Week” honors.
“I think it went well for our first game,” Watkins said. “There is still a lot of season left and as we continue to grow as a team, I think we could be very successful.”
The Lady Lions (0-1) are looking to make their comeback in their next game, when they host Sewanee College on Nov. 15.
—Nealy Webster
Men’s Basketball
The Piedmont men’s basketball team lost its opening game of the season to nationally-ranked Emory University by a score of 98-89 on Nov. 9.
“I felt we didn’t shoot the best from 3 in the first half, and I think we may need to work on
passing and swinging the ball more often around the perimeter,” said senior guard Caleb
Lesch, who scored three points off the bench.
Senior guard Dylan Patrick led the Lions, scoring 24 points and dishing out seven assists. Senior guard Fisher Darden added 18 points on 4-of-9 shooting from behind the arc, and freshman forward Parker Renault and graduate student Javi Marlowe led the team with seven rebounds. For his efforts, Renault was named CCS “Rookie of the Week.”
“When we practice next week, I think it’s important we focus on shooting and passing the ball better in our scrimmages, maybe incorporate some drills to help us do so,” Lesch said.
The Lions will host Warren Wilson College on Nov. 18 at the Cave Arena.
—Matthew Dupuis
Women’s Soccer
The Piedmont women’s soccer team’s postseason run came to an end Tuesday night in Jackson, Mississippi, with a hard-fought 1-0 loss to Belhaven in the CCS Tournament Semifinals. Despite a strong defensive showing, the Lions couldn’t overcome a late Blazers goal in the 74th minute that decided the match.
“We defended so well and started to connect,” said junior midfielder Gracie Phillips. “It really felt like we were right there the entire time, and that’s what makes it a tough one to walk away from.”
Goalkeeper Maggie Leger, recently named CCS Goalkeeper of the Year, tallied five first-half saves to keep the match level, while senior Hannah Thompson denied a late penalty kick to keep Piedmont within reach. The Lions finish their season 15-5-1, marking their highest win total since 2018.
—Ace Maddox
