Box Score The Maryville College Scots escaped Ferrum College, 52-42, behind a single-handed 10-point run by junior guard Jordan Ballard in the battle of the preseason favorites.
Maryville College was picked atop the USA South in the preseason poll, named the likely winners of the Southern Division. Ferrum was picked second overall, with top honors in the Northern Division.
A 9-0 run late in the first half, pulled the Scots to a 25-15 lead, before Maryville settled for a 27-20 halftime advantage.
The Scots could only muster a 32.4 percent outing in the first stanza, but were able to connect on 18 points off 13 Panther turnovers.
During the second half, Ballard made her presence known.
The 5-foot-8 guard from Seymour blasted a single-handed 10-0 run for Maryville's biggest lead of the night, 40-25, over 2:34.
Ballard grabbed a steal, converting the bucket and the ensuing free throw, before she hit a trey on a Joanna Young assist only 16 seconds later. Ballard found a jumper in the lane at 14:58, before she found a layup from Rachel Hawn only nine seconds after that bucket.
The Scots would only post 14 points over the final 14:49, five of those coming off free throws late in the game.
Maryville was able to take advantage of 20 turnovers, to turn them into 28 points during the conference contest.
Ballard finished with a complete contest, scoring 10 points to go along with five steals, three assists and two rebounds. Mackenzie Puckett led the Scots with 11 points to go along with six rebounds and three assists, while Alex Bond contributed 10 points and six rebounds.
Lauren Trent and Hawn each added six points, while Hawn led Maryville with eight rebounds. Mindy Brackins had five points, while Linley Dunn and Young each added three points and six rebounds.
For Ferrum (3-5, 1-1 USAS), it was Jacole Hairston with 15 points, while Zarkira Mattox added 12 points. Kemani Crawford led all players with nine rebounds.
Maryville moves to 9-1 on the season for their best start since a 14-1 beginning to the 2012-13 campaign. The Scots are 2-0 in USA South play.
Maryville will return home on Tuesday, Jan. 6, for a 5:30 p.m. tipoff against Sewanee in non-conference action.
