Box Score The Maryville College men's basketball team established a 19-point advantage just before halftime, but Methodist University rallied with a strong second half to defeat the Scots 68-62 in a key USA South match up on Monday evening in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
The Scots exploded to a 17-4 lead in the first six minutes of the game. Maryville out rebounded the Monarchs 22-10 before the break with 10 offensive boards. MC's largest lead, 40-21, came just before the intermission with the Scots connecting on 49% of their shots while holding their hosts to a 39% shooting effort. Behind Jaumonee Byrd's 12 points and Spencer Shoffner's 13 points, Maryville took a 42-26 lead into the break.
Methodist exploded with a 19-5 run to begin the final period bringing the score to 47-45 in the first ten minutes. A Tabias Hilliard three-pointer at 8:41 gave the Monarchs their first lead of the game, 50-49. A one-point game broke open at the one-minute mark when Hilliard connected on a layup and Mike Major extended their lead to five with a pair of free throws.
The Monarchs capitalized on 22 Maryville turnovers and a 57% free throw effort to out score MC in the second half 42-20.
Methodist (7-10, 3-4 USA South) was paced by Hilliard's 19 points on 5-of-10 shooting. Mike Major added a double-double with 18 points and a team-high 11 rebounds.
Maryville (8-9, 3-3 USA South) was led by Jaumonee Byrd's game-high 20 points. Byrd was 7-for-10 in the paint. Spencer Shoffner finished with 15 points on 6-of-13 shooting while Oscar Butler added eight points with a game-high 13 rebounds.
The Scots will now prepare for Piedmont College on Saturday. Tip-off in Demorest, Georgia is scheduled for 2:00.
