Box Score


MARYVILLE, Tenn. — Maryville College's long-range shooting helped the Scots defeat Averett 84-72 in non-conference men's basketball action on Wednesday night.

Averett, which trailed 36-30 at half, cut Maryville's lead in half with Kenny Hart's 3-pointer at the start of the second period. Maryville then rattled off a 15-2 run over the next five minutes and the Cougars (1-9) never recovered.

The Scots' lead jumped to as much as 19 points in the second half before Averett made one final push. The Cougars trimmed their deficit down to single digits several times in the final five minutes, coming as close as seven points when Justin Pierce's 3-pointer closed the gap to 75-68 with 2:06 to play.

Maryville (4-6) made nine 3-pointers, including five by Eryk Watson, who finished with a game-high 25 points. Watson's big night helped offset a trio of Averett double-doubles.

Hart and Pierce each had 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Nick Ford added 10 points and 10 rebounds. Victor Cortes also finished in double-figures, scoring 12 points.

Averett and Maryville traded the lead throughout the first five minutes of the opening half before the Scots claimed the lead for good despite Ford's eight points and six rebounds in the first period.

Neither team shot better than 40 percent from the floor, but Maryville's big night beyond the arc coupled with Averett's 20 turnovers and struggles from the foul line proved to be the difference.

Averett returns to action on Sunday at home against No. 12 Randolph-Macon College at 3 p.m.