Box Score Free Throws Key in 14th Straight Win
BREVARD, N.C. – The Tornadoes of Brevard put up one of the best fights of any Maryville opponent this season.
In the 96-81 Scots win, the home team scored the second-most points of any Maryville foe this season while their seven blocks and 12 steals were the most the team from Tennessee has had put up against them this season.
Despite winning by double digits, Scots' head coach Raul Placeres says he saw room for improvement.
"I never want to take the joy out of winning because we scored nearly 100 points, we outrebounded them by 18 and got to the line 43 times. But we've got to being us and playing better defense," said Placeres. "We have not defended consistently over the last three games."
The first half started with intensity as the Tornadoes looked to avenge a loss to Maryville early in the season. In the first five minutes, the lead changed twice and it looked like the game was going to be a fight to the end.
The Scots found separation later and built an eight-point lead thanks to a pair of Chase Ridenour free throws, but it was not long before Brevard fought back and cut the lead to three.
WIth 1:08 left in the first, Maryville went on a 6-0 run to close out the half and take a 46-35 lead into the intermission. When action resumed in the second, the Scots tacked on six more unanswered points to open up the lead to 52-35.
The Tornadoes regrouped and immediately followed with a run of their own to the tune of 11 unanswered points to get back into the game. Thankfully, Nicholas Clifton put an end to the run with an old-fashioned three-point play coming from a layup and a free throw.
Maryville held on to the lead for the rest of the contest and continued to add to the gap before taking the 96-81 win.
Balance is Key
Six Scots were in double figures with Ridenour leading the way with 15 points. Felix Uadiale had a game-high seven rebounds in the USA South contest. Daryl Rice and Brandon Jones hit career-best rebounding marks for Maryville with four boards each.
The scoring distribution caught the attention of the Scots' coach.
"We showed tremendous balance tonight scoring, including all five starters in double-figures," said Placeres. "Daryl Rice's minutes off the bench were exceptional, Kaleb (Powell) gave us great energy and Kordell (Kah) came in and gave us a big three there in the second half when things got a little tight."
Charity Stripe Success
A season-best 33 Maryville points came from the free-throw line. The Scots took a season-high 43 shots from the foul line, with Ridenour making a career-high 10 free throws. Maryville's 96 points were the second-most for the Scots this season.
Brevard did not get as many attempts from the line as their counterparts as they had only 28 attempts from the charity stripe. Maryville was also handily on top of the Tornadoes in rebounding by a mark of 44-26. Brevard's total rebounds mark was the lowest by a Scot opponent this season.
"We'll take it and there's a lot on film we can watch," Placeres said. "It seems like we've had one road trip after another. Hopefully, we can get our legs under us and be ready to go for Senior Day this Saturday."
The Scots are 18-1 overall and a perfect 8-0 in league play after the win. Maryville returns home on Saturday to face LaGrange College on Senior Day. The Panthers are 10-10 overall and 5-2 in USA South action before a Tuesday night tilt at Huntingdon.
"I'm just excited for Saturday," said Placeres. "I hope everybody comes out and we can celebrate this senior class in a big way."
