Scots Men’s basketball team starts hot: Emory ends streak
preseason favorites, LaGrange College, 97-84. Photo courtesy of MC Athletics.
The decorated Maryville Men’s Basketball program tipped off the 2016-2017 campaign with four straight wins. On Nov. 16, the Scots first game of the season and home opener against Centre College proved to be an early season test.
A 14-0 first half run put the Orange and Garnet up by 4 at the break. Junior Guard Jaylen Bowyer led the Scots with 15 points, and Sophomore Guard Emanuelle Garcia led the Scots beyond the arch with 12 points from downtown. Up by only 3 with 10 minutes to play, Maryville went 6-of-8 from the charity stripe and were able to squeak out a 74-70 win against the visiting Colonels.
On Nov. 19, the Scots traveled to Randolph College for another out-of-conference match-up. The Wildcats took an early advantage and led 31-16 with 5 minutes left in the first half. However, the Scots ended the first half on a 15-7 run and cut the deficit to 7 at the break.
The spark that the Scots needed came from sophomore big man Colt Nokes. The 6’4 Center went 5-of-10 from the field and 7-of-14 from the line, finishing the game with 17 points. Nokes would have himself a night on the glass as well, pulling down 10 boards. The sophomore’s first double-double of the season would rally the Scots, who stormed back from 15 down to defeat Randolph 74-65.
On Nov. 23, Emory & Henry College visited Boydson Baird Gymnasium. The Scots 10-0 run to start the game put immediate pressure on the visiting Wasps, and Maryville went into the break leading 35-30. However, the Wasps would have a chance to win with .8 remaining, but the buzzer-beating attempt was an air-ball. The 64-64 score at the end of regulation meant an early season overtime thriller. In overtime, the Scots delivered their third straight win of the season. Sophomore Guard Calvin Songster led the Scots in scoring with 19 points, and Colt Nokes would tally another double-double with 16 points and 14 boards.
On Nov. 26, Maryville traveled to Oglethorpe University. The visiting Scots went behind early, but a 19-3 first half run erased the deficit. The Scots led at halftime 42-30. In the second half, Junior Guard Jaylen Bowyer cashed in 15 points and 9 assists.
Also, the charity stripe became a factor. The Scots went 15-of-15 from the line and sealed the 92-80 win. Sophomore Guard Joshua Brooks led Maryville in scoring with 19 points, and Colt Nokes ripped down 11 boards.
The next day, the Scots traveled to Atlanta, Ga. for a contest with Emory University. Emory would hand the Scots their first loss of the season, 71-62. Maryville struggled from the field, going 17-of-65 for 26.2% and 9-32 for 28.1% from beyond the arch. The Scots shot well from the line, but Emory went on a 10-4 run to win the game.
Calvin Songster led Maryville’s scoring with 18 points. The Scots host conference foe LaGrange College on Dec. 3 at 4:00. Travel to Sewanee on Dec. 6, and host Birmingham Southern at 3:00 on Dec. 10.