The Maryville College Fighting Scots men’s basketball team moved to 11-2 on the season and opened their Great South Athletic Conference schedule with a hard fought 83-68 victory over the Panthers of LaGrange College Saturday evening in MC’s Cooper Athletic Center.
The first half saw both teams battle with constant pressure to eleven ties. LaGrange captured their biggest lead with 3:04 remaining before the half on a Robby Lawrence jumper that put the Panthers up 34-30. Maryville re-captured their biggest lead just before the half on a pair of Bo Mason free-throws. Maryville went to the intermission up 42-38.
LaGrange tied the contest for the 13th and final time at the 17:39 mark. They capitalized on key baskets by Corie Jackson to make a 9-3 run and lead 55-49 with 15:24 remaining.
The Scots battled back with key stops. The trio of Bobby Golden, Monte Calloway, and Bo Mason each stepped up their game to separate from the Panther pressure. With 3:46 remaining, Maryville had gained a double-digit margin and finished with the 15-point victory.
LaGrange (5-9, 0-1 GSAC) was paced by the 16-point effort of Corie Jackson. Antoine Maddox and Demetris Render tallied 13 and 12 points each.
Maryville (11-2, 1-0 GSAC) saw Monte Calloway add 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals to lead the Scots. Bobby Golden hauled in 5 boards with his 20-point evening. Bo Mason directed the offense with 13 points and 9 assists. Andy Chaney did an outstanding job off the bench tossing in 10 points and grabbing 4 rebounds.
The Scots will host another Great South opponent Huntingdon College at 4:00 on Sunday January 8th in MC’s Boydson Baird Gymnasium.