Box Score The second half was too much for Maryville College on Tuesday night, as the Scots fell to visiting Piedmont College, 78-53.
The Scots trailed by just four at the half, fighting through the Lions' zone defense. Maryville forced a dozen turnovers in the first half, as Piedmont managed to bank a 3-pointer at the buzzer for their four-point advantage.
The second half, however, would prove different, as the Lions' defense allowed Piedmont to have an 18-3 run over the first 8:15 of the second half. Maryville managed just one field goal over that span – a trey from Kordell Kah at the 17-minute mark.
Piedmont stretched their lead to as high as 27, extending their run to 23-5. Brice Martin's jumper in the paint gave MC a pair of field goals in the first 10:27 of the second half.
Maryville offense found some momentum down the stretch, finishing the second half with an 11-of-34 (32.4 percent) effort.
Piedmont's zone forced the Scots to long-range shots, as Maryville finished the night shooting 21.2 percent (7-of-33) from beyond the arc. The Lions outscored MC, 50-24, in the paint, while boasting 28 points off 23 turnovers.
Maryville's hopes of reaching the USA South Athletic Conference are still alive, as the squad sits in fourth within the conference's Western Division. The Scots hold a 7-10 mark in USA South action and will play LaGrange College (7-16, 6-10 USA South) on Saturday, Feb. 22.
The Panthers have a pair of conference challenges remaining, as they host third-ranked Huntingdon tomorrow, Feb. 19.
Maryville (8-16, 7-10 USA South) was paced by Martin who had 10 points and four rebounds. Kah added eight points, five rebounds, an assist and a steal, while Kevin Chong had eight points, four boards and an assist.
J.R. Sanders added six points, five rebounds, four steals and three assists, as Joshua Brooks tallied five points, four rebounds and a pair of assists. Felix Uadiale had four points, three rebounds and a pair of blocks.
Barron Nease, Cam Gwyn and Daniel Jackson had three points each, as Nease and Jackson posted three assists apiece. Brandon Green had two points, as Dalton Coleman added one.
Maryville shot 20-of-62 (32.3 percent) from the floor, while going 7-of-33 from beyond the arc.
Piedmont (14-10, 9-8) managed a 50-percent effort, going 30-of-60. The Lions were 5-of-17 (29.4 percent) from long range.
Justin Quick had a game-high 17 points, while Orry Clements-Owens added 12 points and four assists. Evan Easton had 11 points, while Jordan Foote boasted 18 points and a team-high eight rebounds.
Maryville College will look to its final regular season contest, as the Scots travel to LaGrange, Ga. on Saturday, Feb. 22. Tipoff against the Panthers is slated for 2:00 p.m.
