Box Score Regular Season Home Finale a 90-50 Win
Photo by Patrick Murphy-Racey
MARYVILLE – Now that is how you get back on track!
Maryville put on a show inside Boydson Baird Gymnasium Tuesday night in a 90-50 win over Berea. It is the fourth straight game the Scots have scored at least 90 points, with the streak extending through all games played the month of February.
Maryville head coach Raul Placeres said his team spent a lot of time prepping for the game after losing their first conference game of the season last weekend.
"I've been here for 11 years and we had our longest film room session ever on Sunday," said Placeres. "In our last game, there was a lot we needed to clean up. We had to see what happened and get back to playing the right way."
The No. 14 Scots showed off their preparedness by holding the lead over the Mountaineers for all but 18 seconds and having some of the best statistical performances of the year. Maryville had 20 assists, which is the second-most for the team all season. Placeres says that was one of the keys to MC's success.
"We didn't shoot well today, but we shared the ball well," said the head coach. "There are guys on our team who can make individual plays but, for us to be successful during this stretch run, we have to play better as a team."
The Scots had a season-high 10 blocks in the stout defensive performance. The last time Maryville had that many blocks came two years ago today in a contest against Brevard. Berea was held to only 16 made shots from the field and a shooting percentage of 25.8-percent, with both being the lowest of any MC opponent all season.
"Defense is all about accountability," Placeres said. "Kordell (Kah) led a player's meeting this week and said some really impactful stuff. At the end of the day, the players must take ownership of what happens on the floor. When a team realizes that you can learn and move forward."
Rebounds were another key stat for the Scots as they had a season-high 59 and held a 59-42 margin in the category over the visitors. Ball security was also on display with Maryville having a season-low tying seven turnovers.
Contributions From All
Felix Uadiale notched his sixth double-double of the season, the second in a row for the junior, with 11 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. Jekobe Coleman led the scoring for the Scots with 14 while two more members of the home squad were in double figures in Myles Rasnick and Kah.
"Jekobe led the way. He's a really good player," said Placeres. "I wanted him to take open shots and he did that. He has had a great year and gotten better. Kordell was also great today. His energy was infectious. Felix showed leadership and was talking up his teammates the entire game. He's a great player and ambassador for our program."
All 17 of the Maryville players who dressed got into the contest. The MC bench outscored the Mountaineers' bench 46-10 and Placeres said those players' minutes were important no matter what the margin on the scoreboard was.
"I coach all my players the same way," the head coach said. "It is my duty to coach one through 17 the same no matter what the score is. They all need to understand that every minute is important. A lot of guys got opportunities to play tonight and I was really pleased for the most part."
The Scots wrap up the regular season with back-to-back contests on the road. Maryville faces Piedmont on Thursday in a rematch of an earlier 71-67 Maryville win before traveling to Covenant on Saturday for a 3 p.m. tilt. The Scots lead the USA South west division with a 9-1 conference record followed by Covenant with a 9-2 conference mark.
"We control our own destiny," said Placeres. "Going on the road we hope to handle business and get back home in a position to host some conference tournament games."
