SALEM, Va. – In the first round of the Susan Dunagan Holiday Classic, the Maryville Scots held their own throughout the game but could not make it over the hump. The host Roanoke Maroons never surrendered the lead they gained in the first quarter and defeated the Scots 70-59.
First Half
Roanoke amassed an 18-8 lead after the first quarter while outshooting Maryville from the field 35 percent to 20 percent. The Scots were 0-of-6 from three in the first quarter and only 4-of-20 overall from the field. The second quarter saw Maryville put up more sustainable numbers, shooting 53.8 percent from the field and 2-of-3 from three.
While the Highlanders outscored the Maroons by five in the quarter to only trail by five at halftime, they ended the half making just one of their last five attempts. Roanoke was 3-of-4 from three to end the half.
Sophomore forward
Kadence Stoner led the way for Maryville in the first half with eight points and five rebounds, with
Emily Allen close behind with seven points. Overall, the Scotts shot 11-of-33 from the field and 2-of-9 from three in the first half.
Second Half
A competitive third quarter kept the Scots' hopes of earning their first win of the season alive. Maryville came back to tie the game with 3:01 to go in the third with a quick 6-0 run that was capped by a clutch steal from
Ella Tharpe and a layup by
Ella Haney to knot the score at 44-all. Roanoke scored the last four points of the quarter to take a 48-44 lead into the fourth quarter. The Scots outscored the Maroons 15-14 in the period, giving hope to head coach
Darrin Travillian's team.
The Maroons' Paige Breuer led all scorers on the night with 23 points on 6-of-11 shooting (4-of-8 from three) in 34 minutes played. She also tacked on six rebounds and was the only Roanoke player with double-digit points scored. Roanoke shot 55.6 percent from the field in the fourth quarter to go along with their second quarter of 50 percent shooting, which is where the difference in the game can be found.
Down 13 points with five minutes to go, Maryville proceeded to go on a 9-2 run from the 5-minute mark until just less than 1 minute remained. Then with Roanoke in the bonus, the Scots had to foul to remain in the game down six. The Maroons hit all their free throws down the stretch to seal their 70-59 victory.
Stoner and Allen were the top scorers for the Scots on the night. Stoner led with 12 points and eight rebounds, shooting 60 percent from the field in 28 minutes. Allen was a close second with 11 and six in 28 minutes played.
Next up for the Scots (0-7) is closing out the Susan Dunagan Holiday Classic against Ferrum on Monday at 7 p.m. The Panthers come into the game with a 6-4 record after Sunday's 52-46 defeat to Oglethorpe. Roanoke is now 4-6.
