MARYVILLE, Tenn. - Maryville College women's basketball saw a furious fourth-quarter rally fall short Saturday afternoon, as Belhaven held on for a 75-69 win at Charles R. Rugg Arena in Jackson, Miss. The Scots pulled within two midway through the fourth quarter behind a career-tying performance from Ella Haney, but Belhaven's late shot-making and fast-break attack proved decisive.
Haney led all scorers with 29 points, matching her career high while adding six rebounds, four assists and two steals on 12-for-23 shooting, including 3-for-7 from 3-point range. Her production helped Maryville erase most of a double-digit deficit in the final 10 minutes after Belhaven had controlled the middle stages of the game. Maryville dropped to 69 points on 40.3% shooting (27-for-67), while Belhaven shot 49.2% from the field (29-for-59) and went 13-for-16 at the free-throw line.
The Scots traded baskets with Belhaven early, closing the first quarter tied 17-17 when Haney drilled a 3-pointer in the final minute. The game swung in the second quarter as Belhaven used a 25-17 advantage in the frame to create separation. Maryville trailed just 32-30 after another Emily Wilson tip-in with 4:34 left in the half, but Belhaven answered with a decisive surge, closing the quarter on a 10-0 run capped by two free throws from Tra'Shaylah Wilson for a 42-30 lead at the break.
Belhaven kept the margin in double figures for much of the third quarter, pushing the lead as high as 48-34 on a fast-break layup by Veronica Williams at the 8:18 mark. Maryville continued to battle, using interior scoring and second-chance opportunities to stay within reach, but a transition 3-pointer from Kiersten Hudson stretched the Belhaven cushion to 55-43 with just over three minutes left in the third. The Scots entered the fourth quarter trailing 59-49 after being outpaced in fast-break points and points in the paint.
Maryville mounted its best run of the day early in the fourth. Defensively, the Scots tightened up on the perimeter and turned Belhaven over, then converted on the other end to chip away at the lead. Haney's third 3-pointer of the contest brought Maryville within 61-59 with 6:06 remaining, completing a stretch in which the Scots outscored Belhaven 10-2 and seized momentum. However, Belhaven responded quickly, as RaMya King finished a fast-break layup to restore a six-point cushion, and Williams later buried a 3-pointer at the 2:01 mark for a 72-64 advantage.
Belhaven's balance and efficiency down the stretch ultimately kept the Scots at arm's length. Hudson paced Belhaven with 17 points, four steals and three assists, while King added 15 points on 4-for-6 shooting and a perfect 7-for-7 at the line. Williams chipped in 11 points and five rebounds. Belhaven held a slight 30-28 edge on the glass and converted 31 fast-break points and 46 points in the paint, key areas that offset 18 turnovers forced by Maryville.
Alongside Haney's career-tying effort, the Scots received a strong interior showing from Kadence Stoner, who posted 10 points, eight rebounds and 8-for-10 free-throw shooting. Maryville finished with 36 points in the paint, 16 second-chance points and 13 points off turnovers, reflecting the team's resilience on the road. With the narrow setback, the Scots demonstrated late-game toughness and a high-scoring lead guard in Haney, setting a competitive tone as they move deeper into February play.
