Scots men’s basketball awaits USA south seeding
The Maryville College Men’s Basketball team (19-5, 9-4) won three straight home USA South Conference games against Piedmont, Ferrum, and Covenant. The hot streak comes at a good time, as the Scots will soon begin post-season play. Maryville’s win streak capped an undefeated 2016-2017 campaign inside of historic Boydson Baird Gymnasium, with a record of 11-0 home record.
On Feb. 8, Piedmont College (14-10, 8-5) visited Maryville College. A productive night on the offensive end of the floor resulted in an 84-68 Maryville win over the Lions. The Scots made 31-of-63 attempts, shooting 49.2% from the floor, and made 16-of-24 attempts for 66.7% from the free-throw line. Sophomore guard Joshua Brooks led the way for the Scots with a career-high night.
Brooks led Maryville in scoring with 21 points, shooting 6-of-9 from the floor and 9-of-10 from the charity stripe. Also, the sophomore ripped down 7 boards and dished out 5 assists. Sophomore guard Calvin Songster added 15 points and led the Scots in boards with 8. Maryville outscored the Lions 38-16 in the paint, and 33-11 off the bench.
On Feb. 11, Maryville College hosted the Ferrum College Panthers on senior night for lone senior Tyler Spicer in Boydson Baird Gymnasium. The Scots would scrap their way to a high-flying 79-66 win over Ferrum. sophomore Forward Emier Bowman and sophomore Post Colt Nokes each threw down three dunks. On the night, 51 fouls were committed between the two teams.
However, Maryville capitalized by making 26-of-35 attempts from the free-throw line for 74.3%. The Scots shot 55.8% from the floor, compared to the 35% of the visiting Panthers. Maryville outscored Ferrum 36-30 in the paint, and 29-21 off the bench. Colt Nokes and Joshua Brooks both had 18 points to lead the Scots in scoring. Junior guard Jaylen Boyer added 11 points of his own, making 8-of-9 from the charity stripe, and led the Scots with 5 assists.
On Feb. 15, Maryville College hosted rival Covenant College, for a Scots vs. Scots matchup. The orange and garnet clad Scots defeated the visiting Covenant College Scots 83-76 in intense fashion. Maryville’s depth would be the key ingredient to the victory. Maryville outscored Covenant 46-9 off the bench. In the first half, ten different Maryville players would contribute points, but the visiting Scots battled with an 53% shooting effort, and Maryville led by only one at the break, 42-41.
However, in the second half of play, Covenant’s hot shooting would end. Maryville shot 46% in the second half, compared to Covenant’s 38%. Sophomore Guard Emanuelle Garcia led Maryville in scoring with 23 points, making 7-of-10 from the floor, nailing 4-of-7 three point attempts, and added a perfect 5-of-5 effort from the charity stripe. Calvin Songster added 15 points, and Colt Nokes added 11 points. Jay Bowyer led Maryville in assists with 6, and Emier Bowman led Maryville with 8 rebounds.
The Maryville College Scots currently sit atop the USA South Conference Standings, and will finish their season on Feb. 18 at Averett University. The Scots will begin post-season play on Feb. 23, in the USA South Conference Tournament.