Box Score Rasnick Leads Four in Double-Figures
MARYVILLE – Maryville's best shooting performance of the season was too much for visiting Huntingdon in an 88-67 triumph for the Scots here Saturday afternoon.
MC finished at 55.0 percent from the floor after entering the game at just 43.2 percent. Today's proficiency included a 60-percent effort (18-of-30) in the second half when Maryville put 53 points on the board to salt away the Hawks in the USA South opener for both squads.
Myles Rasnick led all scorers with 21 points, finishing a perfect 9-of-9 from inside the 3-point arc. He was 1-of-3 outside to finish 10-of-12 overall and improve to 64.4 percent for the season.
Hardly normal numbers for a shooting guard!
"He may be one of the best wings to have ever played here," Maryville head coach Raul Placeres said. "And you know what makes him special? His efficiency. He was 10-of-12 shooting, three blocked shots, three steals – just a fantastic game."
Those three blocked shots were a career high, and his 21 points matched his season best.
Powell Scores Season-High 12
Felix Uadiale added 15 points and a game-high seven boards, while Chase Ridenour and Kaleb Powell scored 12 points apiece. Ridenour contributed a game-leading five assists and Uadiale matched Rasnick with three steals.
Powell was 3-of-4 from beyond the arc and 3-of-4 at the line for his first collegiate game scoring in double-figures. Ridenour says the Hendersonville freshman is quickly gaining the trust of his teammates.
"The reason everyone respects Caleb is because he knows how to play basketball the right way," Ridenour said. "He's really talented and he can score, but he plays defense, he knows how to space the floor, he can guard, he can rebound.
"Scoring aside, he does the little things you need to do to get minutes, and he has a bright future."
Defense Leads to Offense
The game's highlight occurred right before halftime when Huntingdon had a steal and breakout 2-on-1. Tate Goolesby went up for a layup, but Powell hustled to get the block from behind. Jekobe Coleman grabbed the rebound and quickly found Uadiale, who fed Daryl Rice before Rice lofted the alley-oop to Uadiale for the one-handed monster jam and a 35-24 halftime lead.
The Scots built their advantage to as many as 22 points on three different occasions before settling for the final result. Maryville improved to 6-1 overall, with Huntingdon departed at 4-5.
"First win for conference is a great step for our whole team," Ridenour said. "It's what we expect, but we don't want to get complacent. We just want to keep adding on to this feeling."
The Scots entered Saturday's play fifth nationally in 3-point field goal percentage. They were 11-of-29 Saturday and stand at 41.9 percent for the season, which still should hold in the top 10.
Scots Reaching Goals
But Placeres said the numbers show a solid team victory.
"We outrebounded them by eight, we held them below 40 percent from the floor and below 30 percent from three," he said. "That continues to be our trademark. But we've got to be sharper coming out of the gate. Still a lot of work to do."
Maryville plays at home against Wednesday against Johnson in a rematch of the season opener. The Scots won that one in Knoxville by an 87-65 count back on Nov. 5. Tipoff from Boydson H. Baird Gymnasium is 7 p.m.
