Box Score A 25-point second half and a 25-percent shooting effort for the entire game led to Maryville College's fifth consecutive loss by the score of 86-63 at the hands of USA South rival Piedmont College in Demorest, Georgia on Wednesday evening.
The Lions jumped out to an 8-0 early lead that allowed the host to lead wire-to-wire on the evening. A 52-percent shooting effort by Piedmont in the first ten minutes gave the Lions a 25-15 advantage. Key baskets by Spencer Shoffner, Jay Bowyer, and Logan Brewer closed the gap to 28-27 at the five-minute mark. Piedmont went to the half on a 15-9 run to earn a 43-38 lead at the intermission. The Lions out rebounded the Scots 24-19 while shooting 45-percent (6-for-14) from beyond the arc.
Emier Bowman's rebound and basket was Maryville's only bucket the first five minutes of the second half. Piedmont out paced MC 18-7 in the first ten minutes and a Trae Gaines three-pointer made the score 61-45 giving the Lions their largest lead at 16-points. Maryville's shooting woes continued as the time wound down as the Lions finished with a 53-percent effort from the floor that included a 48-percent effort (10-for-21) from long distance. Piedmont closed out the game out rebounding the Scots 52-36 while Maryville connected on only 19% (6-of-31) of their treys.
Piedmont (11-8, 4-6 USA South) was paced by Trae Gaines' 22 points and 10 rebounds. Peyton Luken added 15 points while Justin Vallejo added 10 points.
Maryville (12-8, 3-6 USA South) was led by Spencer Shoffner's 14 points. Logan Brewer added 10 points while bringing down five rebounds.
The Scots will look to rebound on Saturday when they host Averett University in MC's Boydson Baird Gymnasium with a 5:00 p.m. scheduled tip-off. Maryville will welcome back the stars of the past as many MC basketball alums will be in attendance to cheer on the Scots on Randy Lambert Court.
