Women’s Basketball
The Piedmont University women’s basketball team capped a perfect weekend with back-to-back wins at the CCS/SAA Classic, topping Sewanee 93–72 on Saturday and edging Berry 59–57 on Sunday. The two victories mark the Lions’ first winning streak of the season and deliver a significant milestone for Head Coach Jamie Purdy, who secured her 400th career win in Sunday’s thriller.
“This weekend’s two wins set the tone for our season. They helped Coach Purdy reach her 400th career win,” junior forward Emaline Rault said. “Being part of that milestone and part of her program is something we’ll always be grateful for.”
On Saturday, the Lions erupted for a 30-point second quarter that broke open what had been a slow start offensively. Ava Hunter was unstoppable off the bench, pouring in 23 points, 21 of them in the first half, flipping the momentum in Piedmont’s favor. Riley Bryan added a career-high 20 points, showcasing her mid-range game, while Alexandria Willis and Kylie Watkins chipped in 10 points each. The Lions forced 31 turnovers, built a 22-point halftime lead, and never let Sewanee back within single digits.
Sunday’s matchup with Berry unfolded much differently, a defensive battle decided in the final seconds. Willis turned in a dominant double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds, while Watkins added 10 points to help steady the offense. After Berry battled back to reclaim the lead early in the fourth quarter, neither team could gain separation. With the score tied at 57, Kennedi Henson calmly knocked down two clutch free throws with under 20 seconds left, giving Piedmont the edge. A final defensive stand and a crucial rebound from Gracie Deetz sealed the milestone victory for Purdy.
The Lions now shift their focus to their next matchup this Friday, going down to Longview, Texas, to play East Texas Baptist University, looking to build on their momentum and extend their win streak as non-conference play continues.
—Ace Maddox
Men’s Basketball
The Piedmont men’s basketball team (1–1) secured its first victory of the 2025–26 campaign Tuesday night, defeating Toccoa Falls 77–68 inside Cave Arena. The win not only evened the Lions’ record but also marked the first career triumph for new head coach JC Cavin.
Coming off a tough matchup with No. 3 Emory over the weekend, the Lions showed poise and control for most of the night. Cavin credited both his players and the home environment for the breakthrough performance.
“Our guys battled for 40 minutes to get our first win of the year against Toccoa Falls,” Cavin said. “Our home crowd was awesome the entire night and helped push the momentum in our favor late in the second half. I’m grateful to lead this group with Coach Hoshauer and be part of such a great program and university. It was a special moment to get our first win of the season in front of our home crowd. We can’t wait to see everyone back in Cave Arena at our next home games.”
The Lions placed three players in double figures, led by senior Fisher Darden, who posted 17 points and six rebounds. Javi Marlowe added 16 points, eight boards, three steals and two assists in an all-around effort. Off the bench, Silas Mulligan provided a crucial spark with 14 points on 4-of-5 shooting along with five rebounds in just 18 minutes.
Piedmont endured a sluggish start, trailing 23–18 with under five minutes left in the opening half. But the momentum shifted dramatically as the Lions exploded on a 28–4 run that spanned halftime, transforming the deficit into a commanding 46–27 advantage early in the second period.
Toccoa Falls fought back, narrowing the gap to 63–59 with 5:52 remaining. Piedmont’s bench, however, responded decisively, delivering 12 straight points—highlighted by back to back key baskets from Mulligan—to rebuild the cushion. One of the game’s signature moments came when Caleb Lesch buried a corner three with just over two minutes remaining, pushing the Lions ahead 72–64 and halting TFC’s final surge.
The Lions also controlled the glass, winning the rebounding battle 48–38, and—for the second straight game—recorded more assists (16) than turnovers (12).
Piedmont will host Sewanee on Saturday, Nov. 22 for a 2 p.m. tip.
—Adriana Blumer
