Maryville, TN- A three-game winning streak came to an end for #8 Berea, as they dropped their road contest against future USA South Athletic Conference opponent the Maryville College Scots. The final score of the contest was 84-67.
The game got off to a rough start for the Mountaineers as the Scots scored the first seven points of the game. A run of six straight points from Corey Wise cut the deficit to just one point, 7-6. After five points from Maryville, two baskets from Richard Parker helped sparked a 16-4 scoring rally which included baskets from Stephen Butts, Anthony Myrks-Brewer and Wise to push Berea ahead 22-16. Back-to-back three-point baskets from Butts followed by a jumper from Parker and free throws from Myrks-Brewer gave the Mountaineers a nine point advantage, 34-25. Nick McCollum's layup with 2:39 left in the half gave Berea their largest lead of the half of 11 points, 36-25. Two free throws from Wise put the Mountaineers ahead by double-digits, 40-29, as the buzzer for halftime sounded.
Myrks-Brewer opened the scoring in the second half, giving Berea their largest lead of the game of 13 points, 42-29. After seeing their lead slip to single-digits, Terique Miller's three-point basket pushed the Mountaineers ahead by ten, 48-38. The offense for Berea went cold over the next four minutes as the Scots went on a 13-0 scoring rally to take the lead 51-48. Gabe Hinton's layup broke the scoreless streak for the Mountaineers and three free throws from Parker after being fouled on a three-point attempt gave Berea a 53-51 advantage. The score became tied at 55 each before Maryville broke the tie and pulled ahead 59-55. As the team trailed by six, a pair of free throws from Myrks-Brewer and a basket from Miller pulled the Mountaineers back within two points of the lead, 65-63. Berea could not capitalize on the momentum though, missing nine of their next ten shots as the offense went flat again and the Scots ended the contest on a 19-4 run to win the game.
Wise led the way for the Mountaineers, finishing with a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds. Myrk-Brewer finished the game with 17 points, eight rebounds, one assist and four steals. Myrks-Brewer needs one assist for his 400th career assist as a Mountaineer. Parker and Butts each had 11 points in the game.
#8 Berea (12-7) returns to the Roland Wierwille Court against the #6 ranked team in the USCAA, Florida College, in a game which could help push the Mountaineers into the USCAA Basketball Division I National Championship. The game is a part of the USCAA Classic in the Seabury Center and set to begin at 6:00 PM on Friday.