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After losing six games last year by eight or fewer points, the Maryville College men's basketball team seems to be figuring out how to win close games on a regular basis.

It might be just a matter of experience.

"We know how to keep our composure," junior wing Eryk Watson said. "The more we're in (those situations), the more we're able to handle it."

The Scots made it look relatively easy Saturday afternoon, calmly erasing a two-point deficit in the last two minutes to survive a scare from NAIA member Bryan College and escape with an 85-82 victory at Boydson Baird Gymnasium.

Watson's three-point play on a driving layup with 1:21 remaining gave MC a 79-78 lead, and the Scots scored nine of the final 13 points to overcome a slow start in the opener of a three-game homestand.

Maryville (10-2), which trailed by 10 in the first half, improved to 4-0 in games decided by fewer than 10 points.

"That's just experience," said Watson, who scored a game-high 22 points on 7-of-12 shooting. "We just knew to keep our composure and don't try to force anything. People are finally stepping up, and that's what we need."

The Lions (8-5), who lost to MC in overtime last year, never regained the lead after Watson's go-ahead free throw. Xavarien McCall, who finished with a team-high 20 points and three 3s, missed a 3-point try on the next possession.

Seconds later, Maryville forward Brandon McGill intercepted an inbounds pass near the sideline. McGill passed ahead to sophomore point guard Jordan Damron, who then dished to Wes Lambert on the ensuing two-on-one break for a layup and an 81-78 advantage with 47.2 seconds left.

"We had noticed in scouting (Bryan) that they like that (inbounds) lob play to the (center)," MC coach Randy Lambert said of the steal by McGill, who finished with 10 points off the bench.

"I had our point guard run out to (double-team) that, and Jordan got a deflection."

McCall missed two more shots in the final minute, including a potentially game-tying 3-pointer with 22 seconds remaining.

The Scots knocked down a season-high 13 3-pointers, taking advantage the nearly constant double teams Bryan used to clamp down on 6-foot-6 senior center Greg Hernandez, Maryville's leading scorer.

Hernandez, who entered the game averaging 21.7 points and 9.1 rebounds, had only eight points, five rebounds and six turnovers. But he also matched Damron with a team-high five assists, frequently kicking out to the perimeter after drawing multiple defenders.