Matthew Graham, Staff Writer
Kevin Kim, Editor
Essentials
Score: Berea 83, Piedmont 82
Records: Berea 9-9 (4-7 USAS), Piedmont 2-17 (2-11 USAS)
Demorest, GA – The Berea College Mountaineers bounced back from a tough loss to Maryville College with an exciting 83-82 overtime victory on the road over the Piedmont College Lions. It was the clutch play of Berea guards Deandre Lightfoot and Torell Carter that lifted the Mountaineers to the win.
Because of early foul troubles, the Mountaineers got off to a slow start in the first half. Berea was able to keep things close as they never let the Lions pull away by more than 4 points the entire game. Berea freshman Isaac Caudill led all scorers in the first half with 12 points, but it was Piedmont who went into the half leading 36-32.
The Mountaineers fought to stay in the game in the second half, despite having three of their key players fouled (Mitchell Embree, Austin Glasgow, and Gabe Hinton) out with over 5 minutes remaining in regulation. When the Mountaineers found themselves trailing the Lions by 4 with only 29 seconds remaining, Lightfoot decided to take matters into his own hand. Lightfoot streaked down the floor and laid the ball in cutting the Lions lead to 2. After a quick foul, Piedmont's Miles Riley headed to the free throw line where he would go one for two and put the Lions up by 3. With only 9 seconds remaining, Lightfoot hurried the ball up the court and drained a deep three to tie things up and force overtime.
Lightfoot and Carter scored 34 of the Mountaineers 40 points in the second half and overtime to lift the Mountaineers to an 83-82 victory over the Lions. Carter scored 28 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 steals while Lightfoot added 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists. Freshman Isaac Caudill also contributed 18 points and 8 rebounds.
Berea is back on the road on Wednesday, January 30 to take on Brevard College at 7:00 PM. The Mountaineers hope to pick up back to back wins for the first time since late November.