HollySprings, MS -- The Piedmont College men's basketball team dropped a tightly-contested 78-72 decision earlier today on the road to Rust College in northern Mississippi.  Despite keeping pace with the home team in terms of shooting percentage throughout the day, the visiting Lions would fall victim to ice cold shooting down the stretch to drop the six-point decision on the road.

In the first 20 minutes of today's match-up, the lead would change hands nine teams in a hotly contested battle.  Though Rust would build a nine point lead midway through the first half, but Piedmont would continue to chip away at the margin closing to within a single point at halftime. 

Following the break, Piedmont quickly grabbed the lead once more on a Daniel Lampl layup as the Lions surged ahead 43-42.  With the Bearcats claiming a lead late in the second half, PC would go cold from the field connecting on only one of their final nine shots from the field to fall 78-72 to Rust on the road.

Sophomore Michael Ross paced PC with his 22 total points coming on seven of nine shooting from the field including a six of eight mark from behind the three-point arc.  Ross also picked up a pair of rebounds and was a perfect two of two from the charity stripe.

Forward Tracey Gardner once again led the Lions on the boards with seven rebounds to go along with his six points.  Josh Haymore was second on the squad in points scored with his 15 on the day as the junior guard shot 50% from distance.

Adding nine points and four rebounds was sophomore forward Josh Chapman who was three for six from the field.  Senior Daniel Lampl also contributed with his eight points while adding a trio of boards.
Leading Rust was Markieth Wilson with 22 points
The loss drops Piedmont to 5-4 overall as the Lions picked up their first defeat in an out-of-state contest in three tries this season.