Defense, Free Throws Lift MC Past Averett 77-49
DANVILLE, Va. – Maryville for the second time this season threatened the program record of 35 made free throws but settled for an impressive 77-49 road victory against Averett on Sunday afternoon.
The 28-point margin matched Maryville's largest road win over its former USA South foe. The Scots won 90-62 at Averett back in January 1997 and improved to 22-5 all-time against the Cougars, 10-2 on the Cougars' home floor.
The 49 points allowed marked just the third time a Raul Placeres-coached team has given up fewer than 50 points.
"We played unbelievable defense," Placeres said. "Since we came back from our Thanksgiving break, I challenged the team to be the best they could be on the defensive end of the floor, and they did that today.
"There was great disposition from everyone who participated in the game to buy into the defensive mindset. As a collective group, our energy was really high. Our buy-in was really high."
25-2 Run Sparks First-Half Surge
The Scots sizzled in the first half, at least from the free throw line. Maryville made 21-of-23 over the opening 20 minutes and used those freebies to post a 25-2 run during a 5:56 stretch that lifted the Scots from a 12-11 deficit to a 36-14 lead.
R.J. Simmons capped the surge with, of course, a free throw with 5:44 left before halftime.
Averett halted the run on Nick Andrew's 3-pointer, but Maryville ended the half on a 10-4 mini-run to sail into intermission leading 46-21.
The Scots built their largest lead of the game at 61-28 on a Simmons layup with 10:35 remaining. That capped a 25-11 run that extended back to the final 4:43 of the first half, and Maryville coasted from there.
Reed Kemp was the game's high scorer with 19 points, including 8-of-8 at the line. Simmons and Daryl Rice scored 13 apiece, with Rice adding game-highs with five assists and five steals. For Rice, both were season highs, and the steals matched a career high. The 13 points by Simmons equaled the sophomore's career high and marked his second straight game in double figures.
Double-Double for Rodriguez
Jose Rodriguez posted a double-double with 12 boards and 10 points. It is his first double-double of the season and the fourth of his young career.
"Daryl was fantastic today; a really great game for a point guard," Placeres said. "Jose was ferocious out there, playing with a lot of emotion and earning that double-double. Reed was really good in the first half, making some big buckets and getting to the free throw line. We've got to continue that at a high level.
"I was really proud of R.J. and his energy, and Keith Williams gave us great minutes."
Chase Morgan filled in the gaps with nine points and seven rebounds, while Williams posted three boards and a pair of blocks.
The program high of 35 made free throws came against Knoxville College on Feb. 16, 1991. Maryville finished this game 30-of-36 for their second contest of the season with at least 30 made free throws. The Scots were 31-of-36 in the opener against Rowan and are shooting a CCS-leading 75.8 percent as a team.
Maryville and Averett were partners in the USA South from 2012-13 to 2021-22, with Maryville owning an 8-3 series record during that stretch.
Road Stretch Continues Wednesday at Berry
Sunday's game continued a stretch of 11 of Maryville's 12 opponents before the New Year either on the road or in neutral sites. Next for the Scots is a trip to Berry, last year's SAA regular season champion.
"We've got four games in eight days, and today was the first one," Placeres said. "The next opponent is Berry, one of the best teams in our region.
"I'm really proud of how we continue to be physically mature and mentally mature handling these road trips.
Wednesday's game in Rome, Georgia, tips at 7 p.m.
Saturday, the Scots are home for the first and only time before January hosting Washington & Lee. Tipoff for that one from Cooper Athletic Center is 2 p.m.