Hawks Defeat Piedmont in Overtime Thriller

Demorest, Georgia – The Hawks (3-12 overall, 3-6 in the CCS) beat Piedmont (9-7 overall, 5-2 in the CCS) in an overtime thriller 98-91. The Hawks have not beat Piedmont in Demorest since the 2018-2019 season.

The Hawks scored within fifteen seconds of the tip in Demorest, but it was soon followed up by a fastbreak layup from the Lions to tie the game. This first exchange in baskets dictated the remaining nine minutes of the first quarter as Piedmont only gained a three point lead at the eight minute mark and Huntingdon gained a three point lead of their own after two made free throws from leading scorer, AB Davis at the halfway point of the first. The Hawks continued to score with ease as they made three three-pointers in the first quarter. Piedmont responded by pushing the ball for fast break points that were unanswered by the Hawks. With a score of 29-23, the Hawks had their largest lead of the night while the Lions kicked the ball for a three-point attempt, the rebound was snagged by Piedmont and Huntingdon fouled in the closing seconds of the first quarter. Piedmont went 1-2 to bring the score to 29-24 heading into the second quarter. To start the second quarter the Hawks were able to keep a small distance for 3 minutes until a three by the Lions tied the game at 34. Another lead change occurred with made free-throws from the Lions. A seven-point run by AB Davis boosted the Hawks back on top by one with four minutes remaining in the half but a Lions layup with a minute remaining gave them the advantage heading into halftime (45-44).

Key First Half Stats:

AB Davis scored 19 of her 29 points in the first half, shooting 6-9 from the field, 2-4 from three, and 5-5 from the free-throw line.

Alina Shoemake added nine points for the Hawks.

The Hawks made five three's while Piedmont made three.

Piedmont shot 57.7% from the field and the Hawks shot 46.9%

Piedmont shot five more free-throws than Huntingdon.

The second half leading scorer, Kinstin Davis sunk a jumper at 9:46 to start the third quarter and win the Hawks back their lead (46-45). Piedmont took over for the next six minutes as they went on a 10-2 run and took their largest lead of the night at seven (55-48). AB Davis's free-throws at the three minute mark, ended the Lions run and began a 7-0 run of their own. With a minute and half remaining in the third quarter, the score was tied at 55 as the Lions headed to the free-throw line and went 1-2. Kinstin Davis made an and-one to create separation. Piedmont scored once more from the foul line before Kinstin Davis nailed a jumper with six seconds remaining, giving the Hawks the three-point lead heading into the fourth quarter (60-57). Piedmont made an early three to again tie the game and start a 10-0 run to give them the advantage (67-60). Huntingdon's back-to-back three pointers at the six-minute mark brought them right back within arm's reach as Kinstin Davis stole the ball at halfcourt and took it home for two (70-70). Piedmont continued to fight with a 6-0 run to answer with three minutes left in regulation. In the final minute of the fourth quarter the Hawks found themselves down by five (80-75). Briana McGruder grabbed her own rebound for successful second chance points with 50 seconds remaining. Freshman, Deshauna Foote got fouled and sunk one of two from the line. Now down two, the Hawks continued to attack to get to the line. Kinstin Davis went 1-2 from the line with 22 seconds left and AB Davis counted the basket as she got fouled in transition. She made the free-throw with 12 seconds left and extended the Hawks lead to two (82-80). A Huntingdon foul with eight seconds left gave Piedmont their final two points from the free-throw line and sent the game into overtime. (82-82)

Key Second Half Stats:

Kinstin Davis added 14 points and six rebounds for the Hawks and Deshauna Foote added 8 points.

Piedmont went 11-15 from the free-throw line while Huntingdon shot 9-14 for 64%.

The Hawks only scored one more field goal than the Lions but shot six more times.

With an added five minutes on the clock, the Lions took back their lead in thirty seconds with a made jumper. McGruder soon answered with an and-one of her own but missed the extra free-throw and left the game tied at 84. A quick 4-0 run from the Hawks secured their lead for the rest of the game. Piedmont fouled to get the ball back but were unsuccessful as the Hawks shot 6-7 from the free-throw line to push them past the Lions.

Stat Leaders for Huntingdon:

#15 AB Davis – 29 Points, 8 Rebounds

#4 Kinstin Davis – 25 Points, 8 Rebounds

#35 Briana McGruder – 11 Points, 5 Rebounds

The Hawks return to Roland Arena on Tuesday January 24^th at 7:00 PM CST to take on in-state rival Birmingham Southern.