Box Score 12th Straight Win for #13 Maryville
MARYVILLE - The crowd inside Boydson Baird Gymnasium Saturday saw Maryville play the closest game of their USA South contests this season in a 71-67 win over Piedmont.
The Scots had a worthy opponent in the Lions who shot 52.9-percent from deep, which was the highest of any Maryville foe this season. Piedmont also made things difficult for the home team's offense as the Scots tied their season-low in field goals made with 23 and scored the third-fewest points of the season.
"I think we played in spurts," Maryville head coach Raul Placeres said. "It was a trap game. They are very well-coached. They have dealt with some injuries to two of their best players and it would have been a different game if they were here today."
The teams traded blows to begin the action with the lead changing hands six times in the first four minutes of action. A Daryl Rice jumper put the Scots up 17-10 with over 13 minutes left in the half.
After 3-pointer from the Lions, Maryville used an 11-0 run to take a 15 point lead. That run was punctuated by a Nicholas Clifton dunk. Placeres credited big plays like that to securing the win.
"I thought there were some big plays made," said the coach. "There was a momentum-changing dunk and Nick (Clifton) was really solid today. Chase (Ridenour) hit some big shots and Myles (Rasnick) had a couple of good ones."
The end of the first half did not spell as much good news for the Scots as Piedmont made a comeback and cut the lead to six at the half. Maryville was able to push the lead to 10 in the second half with just under 15 minutes remaining, but the Lions kept getting shots up and in.
"We couldn't deliver the punch to end it today," said Placeres. "A lot of it had to do with not hitting shots. We will be better the next time they play us. They use a funky zone and we will be more prepared for it."
Piedmont cut the lead to four at 50-46 but around the 5:30 mark, it started to feel like the Scots were finding separation from the opposition. Ridenour hit a 3-pointer and JR Sanders sunk two free throws to built the home lead back to 10.
The lead did not last as the pesky Lions continued to capitalize on offensive opportunities. Thankfully for Maryville the Scots held on and squeaked past Piedmont 71-67 to move to 16-1 and a perfect 6-0 in USA South play. The Lions fall to 7-10 and 2-3 in the USA South.
Success From the Bench
The Maryville bench was a large factor in the team's success as they contributed 21 points and outscored the opposition's bench by 12.
"Our bench is our strength," said Placeres. "I don't consider them bench guys because they could be starters and they show it when they get in."
Coach praised Daryl Rice who led the bench in scoring with eight points and made all four of his foul shots. The four free throws made were a career-high for the sophomore guard.
"Daryl has really turned a corner since the Berea game," Placeres said. "He knows who he is and what his role is. I thought he has played well as of late with leadership, toughness, and tenacity."
Creating Opportunities
One of the keys for the Scots in the contest was points off turnovers. Maryville had 26 to Piedmont's 12. Defense was also one of the things Placeres credited the win to.
"They shot better overall and from three than most teams against us. We won because we shot well from the line and our defense. We got some key stops even though we struggled offensively. We are getting everybody's best and we continue to answer the call," said the head coach.
The Scots take on Huntingdon next Saturday at 5 p.m. on the road. The Hawks came to Maryville on Dec. 4 to open conference play and were handed a 88-67 defeat at the hands of the Scots.
Maryville is going to use that time to rest and get better.
"I love the fact that we have some time to take a deep breath," added Placeres. "It is much needed. With all this notoriety and everyone patting us on the back a sense of complacency can enter our minds. You saw that some tonight and we fought it and will be ready to go Saturday."
