BEREA, KY- A back and forth shootout between the Piedmont Lions and the Berea Mountaineers results in a final score of 87-83 with the Mountaineers securing the victory in the final moments.
Two early three-point shots from the Lions set the pace for the game as Berea would respond with their own three from Ja'rel Montgomery. After two more three-pointers from the Lions, the Mountaineers would call a time out and unleash 2 of their own from
Andrew Jones, making the score 12-15 as they lead by three early in the first half. After a third three-point bucket from Jones, both teams decided to test the paint and exchanged layups, fouls and free throws until Montgomery would come back and shoot from beyond the arc to drain a three, extending the mountaineers lead to 31-25 with 8:30 left in the first. The lions would slowly claw their way back into tying the lead at 43 with two minutes left. Piedmont would lead going into half by a score of 51-46.
Berea started the second half hot as
Bryce Riley would connect a three,
Jae'dyn Gist would slam home a high flying dunk , and
Ja'Rel Montgomery would also connect from deep. Piedmont would also connect 3 more three pointers to make the score 57-56. More fouls from both teams would result in free throws until a
Tyler Moss steal would result in a strong layup to edge Berea in front by one point with ten minutes left. With thirty-seven seconds left and the score being 83-82 with the lions taking the lead on a smooth three-point shot, Berea would be forced to regroup in a timeout. After the inbound, all eyes were on Minter and the team as time winded down.
Trey Minter would take matter into his own hands and drive in on three Lion defenders and not only get a bucket but also an and-one. The free throw secured the win as Berea would play stellar defense in a last second shot attempt from the Lions.
With the final score being 87-83, Berea is now tied for first in the Collegiate Conference of the South Mens Basketball standings. Berea college would also post a 58.3 shooting percentage form three, led by Jones and Montgomery.
Bryce Riley led in rebounds (10) and points (18) while Minter led in assist (11) and Demetrius Phillips led in blocks (2).
Berea College will Host
Belhaven on Sunday at 3:30PM.
