The men's basketball team returns to action tonight as it hosts Piedmont in the USA South opener for both teams. Tipoff is 7 p.m. in Mariotti Gym.
For each of the teams, the game ends a long layoff. The Panthers (5-8) have not played since a 89-63 loss to Wisconsin-Whitewater at the Emory Holiday Classic on Dec. 30. Games with Huntingdon and Piedmont were rescheduled due to the pandemic. Piedmont (5-7) had four games postponed due to COVID-19 and has not played since losing 81-66 to Oglethorpe on Dec. 30. The Lions enter tonight's game on a five-game losing streak.
Senior Kyle Brown leads LC in scoring and rebounding, averaging 17.5 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. He also leads the team with 53 assists and 14 blocks. Senior Bershard Edwards averages 14.3 points per game. Edwards and sophomore Gabe Cofield each have 21 3s to lead the team. Sophomore Cooper Dolhancyk averages 11.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. Junior Zac Hill is second on the team in rebounding, averaging 5.1 rebounds per game, while averaging 9.8 points per game.
Graduate student Jordan Foote is averaging 17.8 points and 9.6 rebounds for Piedmont. Senior Justin Quick is averaging 14.2 points and Orry Clements-Owens 11.7 points. Senior Will Richter leads the Lions with 19 3s.
This is the 137th meeting between the two teams, in a series going back to the 1957-58 season. LC leads the series 92-44, including a 48-16 advantage in Mariotti Gym. Piedmont won 85-83 in overtime in the last meeting in the USA South West Division Tournament last season.
After tonight's game, the Panthers play at Covenant on Friday and host Maryville on Sunday in USA South games.
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