MOUNT BERRY, Ga. – The Maryville men's basketball program secured its first win of the season in a non-conference matchup against the Pfeiffer Falcons.
The Scots improved to 1-0 overall, while the Falcons fell to 0-1 overall.
Chase Morgan led the charge for Maryville with 25 points, shooting 66.7 percent from the field and 71.4 percent from the line. Morgan also added four assists, four rebounds, and three steals to the Scots' cause. Missouri Western transfer
Matt Schneider was impressive in his Maryville debut, tallying 17 points, eight rebounds, two blocks, and one steal.
Jamal Ware,
Javi Rosell, and
Jackson Garner also added to Maryville's offense. Combined, the trio tallied 25 points, 11 rebounds, and five steals.
The Scots shot 46.6 percent from the field, and 71.8 percent from the line. Maryville's win was established by their ability to capitalize on attacking the basket (14 fast-break points), pressuring the Falcons into mistakes (18 points off turnovers), and dominating inside the paint (50 points in the paint).
Early in the first half, Maryville took a 10-point lead with contributions from Morgan, Rosell, Ware, and
R.J. Simmons. Slowly but surely, the Falcons chipped away at Maryville's lead, eventually tying the score at 16-16 with 9:47 remaining. A layup from Schneider pulled the Scots away, but Pfeiffer pieced two layups together, reclaiming the lead, 20-18. The Falcons and the Scots fought back and forth, with neither team pulling ahead, until three made free throws from Schneider sparked a scoring run from Garner, Schneider, and
Collin Smith, extending Maryville's lead to 37-29. Despite two made free throws interrupting Maryville's scoring, free throws from Garner wrapped up scoring in the first half, giving the Scots the edge heading into the break, 39-30.
Although Pfeiffer managed to counter Maryville's baskets, the Scots came out with an intensity that allowed them to hold onto a lead of nine or more points through the first four minutes of the second half. The Falcons scratched at the lead drawn by the Scots with baskets of their own and eventually cut the lead down to four with 9:14 left (62-58). Points from Garner and Morgan granted the Scots their largest lead of the game with 15 points. Foul after foul, each team was awarded numerous free throws, and with Rosell taking the final free throws of the game with 14 seconds left, the Scots were able to end their season opener with a statement over the Pfeiffer Falcons, 84-72.
The Scots are back in action Saturday, November 8 at 3:00 PM to take on the Berry Vikings.
