The Daily Times

The Maryville College women’s basketball team controlled tempo early and cruised to a 70-47 victory over the Huntingdon Lady Hawks on Saturday.

The Scots (11-6, 7-1) stayed atop the Great South Athletic Conference standings and moved closer to an NCAA tournament bid. Maryville led 33-18 at halftime, holding Huntingdon (12-8, 7-4) to just 28.6-percent shooting (8 for 28). The Lady Hawks didn’t help their cause, turning the ball over nine times.

In the second half, it was more of the same. The Scots never let the Lady Hawks within 15 points the entire half. Maryville not only controlled the scoreboard but dominated its opponent in rebounds (54-29) and assists (16-11).

“Defensive effort was great,” Maryville coach Darrin Travillian said. “We tried to impose our will and we did that.”

Offensively, Payne led the way for the Scots. She finished with 20 points and nine rebounds. She went 7 of 12 from the field and 5 of 7 from the free-throw line.

“She is one of the elite players in the (GSAC),” Travillian said. “She is a big part of what we’re trying to do.”

Lauren Burnett joined in with 15 points of her own. The former Heritage High standout did most of her damage from the 3-point line, sinking 3 of 8.

“Lauren has finally reached her comfort zone at point guard,” Travillian added. “She’s a wily player.”

Ashleigh Elliot chimed in with nine points of her own, while Tara Heyboer had six points and six rebounds for the Lady Scots. As a team, the Lady Scots shot just 33.9-perecent from the floor (21-for-62), but did sink 6 of 16 from behind the 3-point line.

Morgan Crawford, Laterial Williams and Raven Prater, the three leading scorers for Huntingdon on the season, were held well below their season averages. Crawford, averaging 10.3 points, totaled only six points. Williams and Prater had five and three respectively, though combining for 16.6 points per game this season.

“It’s a good statement toward our defense,” Kiera Payne said. “Defense wins games and that’s what we try to do.”

Saturday’s game was the first of three conference games the Scots will have to play in the next five days. Today they host Spelman and then travel to Agnes Scott on Wednesday.

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