Box Score A key bench effort and consistent scoring from Mindy Brackins and Mackenzie Puckett lifted the No. 15 Maryville College Scots past Huntingdon College 72-52 in their 2015 USA South Athletic Conference opener in Maryville, Tennessee on Saturday evening.
MC's Jordan Ballard and Puckett combined for a dozen points in the first quarter as the Scots jumped out to a 22-11 advantage.
In a 19-16 second quarter, Mindy Brackins stepped up to hit a pair of three-pointers and Coach Travillian's bench of Abby Navarro and Rachel Hawn helped MC shoot 43% from the floor. Maryville's stifling defense held the Hawks to only a 29% shooting effort going into the intermission.
The Scots took a 41-27 lead into the locker room at the half.
Just after the break, Puckett, Brackins, and Haley Talbot combined to drop four baskets and six free-throws for a combined 17 points as Maryville out paced Huntingdon 20-8 in the third quarter.
The Scots closed out the challenge posting 11 of their 33 bench points with key minutes by Brittany Johnson, Linley Dunn, Haley Talbott and Chelsey Harness. MC's tough and consistent defensive effort limited the Hawks to no double-digit scorers and a 27% shooting effort for the entire game.
Huntingdon (4-2, 0-1 USA South) was led by Jello Weatherspoon's nine points on 3-of-7 shooting. Juliette Harp added eight points and a game-high nine rebounds.
Maryville (5-1, 1-0 USA South) was paced by Mindy Brackins' 15-point effort. The junior deposited 5-of-10 shots while going 3-for-6 from beyond the arc. Mackenzie Puckett was 5-for-9 from the field for 13 points. The entire Scots team out-rebounded the Hawks 55-38 with Linley Dunn pulling down a team-high eight boards. Haley Talbott brought down seven rebounds. MC's point guards Jordan Ballard and Brittany Johnson combined for seven of the Scots' 15 assists.
Maryville will prepare for a busy upcoming weekend. The Scots will host Oglethorpe University at 6:00 p.m. on Friday before jumping right back into league play on Saturday when they host Covenant on Saturday at 2:00 in MC's Boydson Baird Gymnasium.
