Scots get much needed win after two game skid

After dropping two straight games by a combined eight points, the Maryville College Scots Basketball team bounced back with an 88-50 rout of the visiting Huntingdon College Hawks (2-14,0-5) on Jan. 21.

An early run gave the Scots a 14-0 lead with 14:07 left in the first half. Sophomore Donte Hoppa went 6-8 from the floor, 2-4 from downtown for 14 points in the first half. Maryville hit 15-31 in the first half for 41 percent from the floor.

Sophomore Emanuelle Garcia shot 4-8 from the floor, adding 10 points in the first half of play. The Scots were strong defensively in the first half as well. Maryville’s defense forced 13 turnovers and held the Hawks to only 25.8 percent shooting, 8-31 from the floor. The Scots led Huntingdon College 41-22 at the break.

MC came out in the second half and continued to build on their lead. Donte Hoppa added 5 points and finished with 19, leading the Scots in scoring. Emanuelle Garcia added 6 points and finished with 16. Sophomore Calvin Songster tallied 11 points of his own for the Scots. Sophomore Colt Nokes had a solid game in the paint, scoring 10 points and ripping down a game-high 8 boards.

MC was unselfish on the offensive end of the floor, and their consistent ball movement throughout the game kept the Hawks’ defense on their heels. The Scots finished the game with 23 assists, compared to 8 assists by Huntingdon’s Offense. MC outscored the Hawks in the paint 34-16. Huntingdon was unable to find any sort of rhythm on offense. The Scots’ defense forced 24 Hawks’ turnovers, which turned into 27 Maryville points.The Scots now sit in the fourth spot of the USA South Conference Standings with a 3-2 conference record, 12-3 overall. Their next outing will be a crucial USA South Conference match-up as they travel to Piedmont College to face the Lions (10-7, 4-2) on Monday, Jan. 23. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 P.M.