Box Score Carruthers' 24 Points Lead All
BREVARD, N.C. – Maryville saw the 2021-22 season come to an end in a 73-64 loss to Brevard in the first round of the USA Conference Tournament.
"Obviously, we wanted a different outcome tonight, but we have some unbelievable memories, unique experiences, Covid stories, and a conference title from last season," said head coach Darrin Travillian.
Hannah Jones scored the first points of the game with a layup before the Tornadoes went on a 6-0 run to take their first lead of the tournament game.
The Scots answered back with an 8-0 run that gave them a 10-6 advantage, the largest of the game for the visitors. Maryville took the lead into the second quarter thanks to a Jordan Heifner free throw.
The game of runs continued, with Brevard scoring 12 unanswered points to open the second. A Jones free throw stopped the run and, after a layup from the Tornadoes, the Scots went off on a 7-0 run.
Brevard built the lead to 11 going into the half in the elimination game.
Never Giving Up
After a made 3-pointer from the Tornadoes to start the second half, the Scots sank two deep shots of their own courtesy of Shelby Hix and Elsa Eckenrod. The baskets cut the deficit to single digits in the fight to move to the next round.
Shots from behind the arc were a big boost to both teams, but it was Brevard who tied the second-most threes of any MC opponent with nine in the game. A deep shot gave the Tornadoes their biggest lead of the game, a 17 point margin, with 7:07 left in regulation.
Maryville dug in and put up 11 unanswered points to keep postseason hopes alive. Carruthers scored six of the points in the run, with three free throws from Jones also aiding in the streak.
The lead for the home team continued to shrink late in the game. Back-to-back free throws from Heifner, plus a layup from the sophomore guard, pulled the Scots within four with 3:05 remaining. The Tornadoes pulled ahead again but a Carruthers layup and free throw cut the deficit to four with 1:41 on the clock.
Unfortunately for the Scots, the basket from Carruthers at the charity stripe was the final made shot for the visiting team. Maryville was forced to foul and Brevard made three free throws to tally the final points of the night.
Carruthers led all players with 24 points. She was followed by Heifner who just missed a double-double with her 14 points and nine rebounds. Hix chipped in 11 as the third Scot in double figures.
Jones notched a career-high-tying five assists and hit just her second 3-pointer of her MC career in the contest.
For three members of the Maryville team, it was their final time in an orange and garnet jersey.
"Unfortunately, our comeback came up short," said Travillian. "We just didn't have enough in terms of boards and stops to finish the deal. I was very proud of the fight we showed to cut it to a couple of possessions late. I'm very appreciative of the careers and contributions of Elsa, Hannah, and Shelby."
The rebounding margin between the teams was large in the contest. Brevard handily took the lead in that category 52-36. The Scots forced 18 turnovers from the Tornadoes and scored 16 points off the miscues.
Maryville finishes the season 11-14 overall with a 7-8 USA South mark in the team's final year in the conference. The Scots will be members of the Collegiate Conference of the South next season and in search of the league's inaugural women's basketball title.
"Personally, I look forward to recharging the batteries, reflecting, reevaluating, and thinking of ways that an influx of new players can help our returners get us back to the level we expect," said Travillian.
