LEXINGTON, Ky. - Women's basketball battled back from an early deficit and held the lead 16 times Saturday afternoon, but Muskingum University used a strong fourth-quarter surge to escape with a 58-51 win at the Clive M. Beck Center.
The Scots (2-2) delivered their best stretch of the game in the middle two periods, combining to outscore Muskingum 36-26 across the second and third quarters to take control with a 44-41 advantage entering the fourth. Maryville took its largest lead of the day at 46-38 early in the period after an Ella Tharpe layup at 9:45.
Muskingum (3-1) countered by closing the frame on a 20-7 run, paced by a dominant 27-point outing from Claudia Harrington. The senior center finished 8-for-11 from the field, 4-for-6 from three, and 7-for-10 at the free-throw line, while adding seven rebounds, three assists, and three steals.
Maryville leaned on a balanced scoring effort, with Emily Wilson and Kadence Stoner each posting 10 points. Wilson added three rebounds, two assists, two steals, and went 2-for-8 from three and a perfect 2-for-2 at the line. Stoner paced the Scots on the boards, pulling down 11 rebounds and recording two assists, one block, and one steal. Her performance for the weekend earned her All-Tournament honors, raking up 23 points and 22 rebounds over the two games.
Tharpe contributed nine points, six rebounds, and a pair of steals while hitting 3-for-7 from the floor. Tinsley Walker provided an efficient scoring spark off the bench with six points on 3-for-4 shooting. The Scots' bench generated 16 points behind contributions from Walker, Emily Allen (5 points), Halle Kitchen (3), and Leighan Jackson (2).
Maryville finished 17-for-57 (29.8%) from the field and 4-for-18 (22.2%) from three. The Scots' defense forced 19 Muskingum turnovers and produced seven steals and seven blocks, including four swats from Stoner. Maryville also converted 9 points off Pioneer turnovers and owned a 10-5 edge in second-chance scoring.
A back-and-forth first half featured 16 lead changes and four ties before Maryville seized momentum in the second half.
The Scots return home level at .500 through their first four games of non-conference play.
GAME NOTES
• Emily Wilson: 10 pts, 3 rebs, 2 asts, 2 stls
• Kadence Stoner: 10 pts, 11 rebs, 4 blks
• Maryville bench: 16 points
• 16 lead changes, 4 ties
• Points in the paint: Muskingum 18, Maryville 24
Final: Muskingum 58, Maryville 51
