Staff Reports

PIEDMONT – Rollie Pinto scored 18 points, including an 11-of-12 performance at the free throw line, to lead the Piedmont Bulldogs to a season-opening 64-60 comeback basketball win over Sand Rock on Tuesday.

Cole Wilson added 15 points for the Bulldogs (1-0). Colton Proctor posted 11 points. Taylon Swain and Ishmael Bethel finished with nine and eight points respectively.

Ty Traffanstedt scored a game-high 33 points, including three 3-pointers. He also grabbed six rebounds and had two assists for the Wildcats (3-3). Cam Gifford added 10 points, four rebounds and four assist. Will Cleere finished with six points and four boards. Gatlin Cox grabbed 10 rebounds.

The two teams were tied at 18 at the end of the first quarter, but Sand Rock surged ahead 34-27 at halftime. Piedmont cut its deficit to 45-44 at the end of the third quarter and outscored the Wildcats 20-15 in the fourth for the final.