Missouri Western Transfer Scores Career-High 39 Points
ROME, Ga. – Reed Kemp scored a career-high 39 points Wednesday night to lift Maryville over Berry 85-83 in a thriller at the Cage Center in Rome, Georgia. The Scots are now 6-0 at the Cage Center and improve to 10-1 all-time against Berry after getting revenge against the Vikings following last season's 72-65 loss at home.
The transfer from Missouri Western capped off his unbelievable night by scoring the go-ahead bucket on an acrobatic layup with just 4.1 seconds remaining in the contest. He finished 16-of-24 from the field (67%) including 6-of-8 from beyond the arc.
Kemp's 39 points are believed to be the most by a Scot since November 19, 2010, when Eryk Watson scored 41 against Thomas More in a 106-85 victory at the Marrietta tournament in Ohio.
The Franklin native now holds the CCS-high this season in single-game scoring, topping Ryan Jolly's 33-point mark against Emory.
"I've been associated with the College for 15 years as a player and coach, it's one of the best performances I've seen a Scot play live," Scots head coach Raul Placeres said. "Every shot looked good. He made it with floaters, with the left hand, with the right. Give it to the guy who's hot, right? And that's what we did, even down to the winning shot."
Placeres was impressed with Kemp's scoring prowess in the contest, but he also praised his ability to lead by example and make those around him better as well.
"I'm proud of him. Yes, he was amazing offensively. But his leadership and passion and his playing to win was outstanding. And his teammates followed suit."
Lights-Out Shooting for the Scots
As a squad, Maryville shot a season-high 59.3 percent (35-of-59) from the field, its best team mark since January 20, 2021, in an 84-66 victory over Huntingdon (59.6%). The Scots shot a remarkable 63 percent (15-for-24) in the second half.
"It's pretty remarkable to shoot like we did in the second half," Placeres said. "And to go 6-of-8 from three. I don't recall us shooting it like that."
Behind Kemp leading the Scots offense, Jackson Garner contributed a season-high 16 points and Chase Morgan added 11 points of his own.
"It was nice to see Jackson Garner find his shot," Placeres said. "We got a combined 55 points from our starting wings on 9-of-15 from three."
Other than a few early ties and lead changes in the first half, Maryville led for most of the contest. After taking an 11-9 lead on a layup from Keith Williams with 16 minutes remaining in the first half, Maryville would not lose the lead again until the Vikings went on top 76-75 with 3:21 to go in the second half.
MC quickly took the lead back again though, going up 78-76 on a three-pointer from Kemp, assisted by Daryl Rice. Rice led the Scots with six assists in the contest.
"Everyone in the game had an imprint," said Placeres. "Everybody contributed, and that's what good teams do. We've basically been on the road for our first seven games, and they are finding a way. They are playing together and, tonight, did it against the defending SAA champions.
Home Sweet Home
Maryville is back at the Cooper Athletic Center Saturday Afternoon for its home opener against Washington & Lee. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.
After kicking off the season with back-to-back losses in Rochester, the Scots have won five straight and sit at 5-2 on the season. Washington & Lee comes into Saturday's contest with a record of 5-1.
"We are going to play a really good Washington & Lee team from the ODAC in another big South Region game, and we look forward to the challenge," Placeres said. "I hope the community comes out and supports us because we have been playing really hard and representing the institution the right way. This is a great group of young men."