Box Score The No. 13 Maryville College women's basketball team turned on their defensive intensity to force 24 turnovers and cruise to a 69-39 victory over USA South foe Meredith College in Raleigh, North Carolina on Sunday afternoon.
Coach Darrin Travillian's Scots earned a seven-point advantage in the first quarter after forcing the Avenging Angels into eight turnovers, converting half of their points off their host's miscues.
Maryville's 18-11 lead was expanded to a 13-point halftime advantage after the Scots took advantage another nine turnovers while MC's bench tossed in 15 of the Scots 37 halftime points.
The Scots pulled away in the third quarter when All-American Mackenzie Puckett deposited 11 of Maryville's 20 points to give MC a 57-26 lead.
With a collective 47% shooting effort, Maryville cruised toward their 12th victory of the season. Their defense held the Avenging Angels to a 27% shooting effort for the entire game. Maryville also out rebounded their league hosts 41-30 during the challenge.
"We are pleased with today's performance," stated Coach Travillian. "After spending the last few days in a hotel due to the weather, everyone was ready to compete. Obviously, our defensive effort was solid, and our unselfishness was very gratifying. Any chance you have to play the entire roster is always nice as well. Meredith is a little banged up right now, and Melinda will have them ready for the second half of conference play. We are ready to get home and start preparing for a tough week."
Meredith (5-11, 3-5 USA South) was paced by a game-high 17 points by Jessi Hayes. She was 5-for-13 from the field while connecting on 3-of-8 treys.
Maryville (12-2, 6-0 USA South) remained undefeated in USA South action behind Mackenzie Puckett's 15 points on 7-of-13 shooting. Rachel Hawn was 5-for-6 from the floor for 10 points while bringing down 7 rebounds. Allyson Freiermuth added 9 points and 6 rebounds while Lauren Biliter tossed in 7 points while pulling down 6 boards.
The Scots will return to the Cooper Athletic Center on Tuesday when they host Salem College for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off. Maryville will also host Methodist and Greensboro on Friday and Saturday to conclude a busy week of college hoops.
