Scots Fall 87-82, End Seven-Game Winning Streak vs. Mountaineers
BEREA, Ky. – Berea continued its hot start to the season and held off a Maryville team still trying to find its way for an 87-82 nonconference decision Tuesday night in Kentucky.
The Scots are 4-4 and lost for the first time at Berea, snapping a seven-game Maryville winning streak in the series. Maryville leads the series 13-2 and is now 6-1 at Berea.
"We are exactly what our record states – average," Maryville head coach Raul Placeres said. "Until we commit to defense, execution and a sense of urgency from the start of the game, we will continue to see these results.
"We are not a tough team right now. It is very disappointing because that is not how I coach nor how I played. The jersey and representing this institution mean a lot to this coaching staff. The break comes at a suitable time."
Berea held the lead in this one for nearly 38 minutes, including the final 19:08 after Jae'dyn Gist made a layup for a 45-44 Mountaineers advantage they would not relinquish. Gist scored again at the 17:22 mark to spark an 8-0 Berea run that made it 57-48.
Maryville's Reed Kemp drove for a layup with 9:57 to play that narrowed the gap to 61-58. The lead varied between three and eight points until Demetris Phillips converted a Scots turnover into points for Berea's largest lead at 81-71 with just 1:34 showing. Collin Smith layups in the final 30 seconds twice pulled the Scots within four, but that was as close as they got.
Kemp, Garner Reach 20 Points
Kemp scored right on his season with 24 points on 10-of-17 shooting, going 3-of-6 from long range. He led the team with eight rebounds. Jackson Garner scored 20 points after going 8-of-12 from the field and 4-of-8 from three, and Chase Morgan added 17 aided by a 7-of-8 showing at the line. Kyle Cloninger finished with 11 points and seven boards.
This game was just as close statistically as on the scoreboard. Both teams scored 31 field goals, with Maryville converting one more 3-pointer. Berea made up the difference with six more free throws. The Mountaineers had a 37-35 rebounding edge and an 18-16 margin in assists. Both teams committed seven turnovers.
Berea also placed four scorers in double-figures, led by Bryce Riley with 27. Phillips added 21, while Ja'Rel Montgomery and Trey Minter contributed 14 apiece.
The Mountaineers improved to 4-1 overall in their first season playing in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference. Dating back to the 2017-18 season, Maryville and Berea were conference members first in the USA South and then the Collegiate Conference of the South. Maryville went 11-1 against the Mountaineers during those conference matchups.
The Scots break for Thanksgiving and then play at Washington & Lee on Monday night in Virginia. The Generals are 1-4.
"We will get back to work as a staff and find solutions in all phases of the game," Placeres said. "Our commitment level to excellence is not there, but I promise you we will get there."