Box Score Maryville College's defensive effort again held its opponent to under 40 points, as the No. 18 Scots moved to 2-0 with a 73-39 win over Centre College on Saturday.
In MC's first two contests, the Scots have given up only 34 points per game, while outscoring opponents by an average of more than 45 points. In the first two games, Maryville has outscored opponents by nearly 100 points, 163-68.
"We are very proud of our girls this weekend," Head Coach Darrin Travillian said. "Two strong defensive performances, coupled with unselfishness, really defined this start to the year."
However, the road gets a little tougher on Tuesday.
Maryville hosts defending NCAA National Champion Thomas More inside Boydson Baird Gymnasium on Tuesday night, Nov. 22. The Saints have won their last 69 games – a streak that began against Maryville two years ago.
No. 4 Thomas More also knocked the Scots out of the NCAA Tournament last season in the Sweet 16.
"Tuesday night is the ultimate challenge: the two-time defending champs are a serious contender for the three peat," Travillian said. "For us, we are excited for this opportunity to see where we are and where we need to improve."
These two top-25 opponents will tipoff at 7:00 p.m.
For the second straight game, Maryville came out of the gate hot. The Scots went to the half against the Colonels with a sizable 32-13 lead.
Maryville led the entire way without a single tie in the contest during the opening two periods. The Scots shot 46.4 percent from the floor, while bucketing a trio of 3-pointers. MC showed a team effort with 10 assists on 13 baskets during the first half.
The Orange and Garnet was led by Rachel Hawn's eight points and six rebounds, while Madison Maples and Haley Talbott each added six points. Amber Hudgens led MC with three assists.
Centre saw a pair of Colonels – Abby Goetz and Lakken Miller – convert three points, as they out-rebounded the Scots 20-17 in the opening half.
The Scots continued their flurry in the second half, as they ended the game shooting 52.8 percent from the floor. Maryville connected on nine treys, while out-rebounding the Colonels, 36-33.
MC was led by Maples' 16-point effort, as she added two rebounds and a steal. Allyson Freiermuth had 13 points, seven rebounds, two assists and a steal, while Mindy Brackins had 11 points off the bench with a 3-for-5 outing from beyond the arc.
Lauren Biliter had 10 points for Maryville, while Talbott had nine with a 3-for-5 mark from 3-point range. Hawn had eight points, while matching Freiermuth's team-high seven boards. Hawn also had a game-high three blocks for Maryville. Chelsey Harness had three points for the Scots, as did Kelley Wandell.
For Centre, it was MikaylaFee that had eight points. Day Vance had seven rebounds to lead the Colonels, while the team could only muster a 30.2 percent outing from the floor. Centre made only 3-of-10 free throws in the loss.
