Lady Scots Basketball season ends in conference final
The Maryville College Lady Scots Basketball Team suffered a season-ending 58-44 defeat to Piedmont College on Feb. 25. The defeat meant that the NCAA Division III National Tournament Selection Committee would determine if Maryville moved on to the NCAA Division III National Tournament, however Maryville did not receive an At-Large bid. The Lady Scots finished the 2016-2017 campaign with a 23-5 record.
On Saturday, Feb. 18, the Lady Scots hosted the LaGrange College Lady Panthers in a USA South Conference Tournament Quarterfinal match-up. Maryville’s offense would be too much for the LaGrange Defense. The Lady Scots made 21-of-56 attempts for 37.5 percent from the floor.
LaGrange only made 11-of-55 for 20 percent from the floor. Senior forward Allyson Freiermuth lead Maryville in scoring with 24 points, making 8-of-11 attempts from the floor, and adding 8-of-11 from the charity stripe. Junior forward Rachel Hawn chalked up a double-double, scoring 10 points and ripping down 13 boards. Also, the Lady Scots outscored the Lady Panthers 28-10 in the paint. Maryville’s offensive effort resulted in a 58-34 victory over LaGrange College.
On Friday, Feb. 24, Maryville hosted Averett University in a USA South Conference Tournament Semi-Final match-up. The Lady Scots found themselves in a back-and-forth battle. The contest had 14 ties and 12 lead changes.
Maryville made some key free-throws down the stretch to earn a 69-63 win over the Lady Cougars. Allyson Freiermuth tallied a double-double, leading the Lady Scots in scoring with 21, and pulling down 18 rebounds. Freiermuth went 7-of-11 at the charity stripe. Junior guard Lauren Biliter added 16 points and 8 boards for the Lady Scots, and made 5-of-6 from the line. Junior guard Haley Talbot added 11 points and 6 boards, and shot a perfect 5-of-5 from the free-throw line. Freshman guard Libby Gardner dished out 8 assists.
The next day, Saturday, Feb. 25, the Lady Scots hosted the Piedmont College Lady Lions (21-7) for the USA South Conference Tournament Championship. With 8:11 to go in the ballgame, Maryville trailed 45-33. The Lady Scots went on a 11-0 run behind Biliter, who scored 7 of those points. With 4:47 left to play, Maryville only trailed by 1, 45-44.
However, Piedmont would end the game on a 13-0 run of their own, and the Lady Scots fell to the Lady Lions 58-44. Rachel Hawn tallied a double-double, scoring 12 points and ripping down 11 boards. Biliter finished with 11 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists. Freiermuth contributed with 8 points and 8 rebounds. Libby Gardner led the Lady Scots with 5 assists.
Both Freiermuth and Rachel Hawn were named to the USA South Conference All-Tournament Team.