Brevard Falls in Heartbreaking Fashion to Maryville, 71-68

Brevard Falls in Heartbreaking Fashion to Maryville, 71-68

Joseph Marvin: Assistant Sports Information Director 

BREVARD, N.C. – The Brevard College Tornados Women's Basketball team (5-2, 1-1) dropped a down-to-the-wire 71-68 decision to the Maryville College Scots (2-5, 2-1) on Wednesday evening at the Boshamer Gymnasium on the campus of Brevard College.

Brevard was anchored by four double-digit scorers and USA South Rookie of the Week Avery Lockwood's nine points. The rotation of Annalee Bollinger, Deja Riddick, Destiny Williams, Taryn Ledford, and Lockwood accounted for 63 of the Tornados' 68 points in the game.

Riddick led the team with season-high 15 points while having a perfect 4-of-4 night from the charity stripe. The sophomore out of Norfolk, Va. also grabbed seven rebounds and tallied two steals.

Ledford, who saw her first action since a 77-61 victory over Berry College on Nov. 15, poured on 14 points, 12 of which came from 3-point shots (4-of-11).

Bollinger tallied 13 points, knocking in 3-of-7 from long range while dishing out a team-high four assists.

Williams added 12 points, seven rebounds, and two steals to Brevard's effort. The sophomore hailing from Aiken, S.C. enjoyed a perfect 4-of-4 night from the free throw line.

In addition to Lockwood's nine points, the freshman from Foxworth, Miss. grabbed seven boards, three of which were offensive.    

Maryville built its lead in the second quarter thanks to an impressive 14-0 scoring run that lasted 5:04 minutes. The Scots would take a 35-25 lead into the second half.

Brevard would answer the hot-shooting Maryville squad in the third period. The Tornados shot 10-of-16 from the field (62.5%) in the third period to match a 7-of-13 mark (53.8%) put up by the Scots. Maryville took a 57-50 advantage into the final stanza.

The Tornados kicked it into high gear in the final period of the contest. Brevard opened up the fourth quarter on a 10-0 scoring run which lasted 5:02. Ledford made two 3-pointers during this run, the second of which gave Brevard a game-high 60-57 lead with 4:58 remaining in the contest.

The Scots answered back at the 4:26 mark as Beasley found the bottom of the net with a layup to cut BC's lead to 60-59. A pair of Eckenrod free throws helped Maryville regain the lead, 61-60.

Eckenrod would be sent to the line once again, extending Maryville's lead to 62-60 with 2:27 remaining in the game.

On the next possession, Williams pulled up from long range, but the shot was off. Lockwood grabbed a key offensive board and kicked the ball out to an open Riddick from the arch. Riddick knocked in the long-distance shot, giving the Tornados a 63-62 lead with 1:57 left.

The Scots would regain a 64-63 lead with another Beasley layup. After a missed Lockwood layup on the next Tornado possession, Varney was fouled on a driving layup. Varney knocked in both free throws, giving Maryville a 66-63 lead with just 49 seconds left in the contest.

Brevard would turn the ball over on its very next possession via an offensive foul. Maryville sent Eckenrod to the line once again, as she found the bottom of the net twice to extend Maryville's advantage to 68-63 with 25 seconds left in the game.

Riddick would draw a foul following a Brevard timeout. She drilled both free throws, cutting the Maryville lead to 68-65.

On the throw-in, Beasley was once again fouled. She made both of her free throw attempts, which gave Maryville a 70-65 lead with only 21 seconds left in the game.

Brevard's next possession was fruitful, as its senior captain Bollinger drilled a clutch 3-pointer to cut the Scots' lead to 70-68. Maryville was promptly fouled on the throw-in, sending Varney to the line with nine seconds left in the game.

Varney missed the front end of her two shot attempts, making the second to give Brevard one last chance to tie the game as Maryville clung to a 71-68 lead.

Brevard inbounded the ball on its near sideline but was unable to convert on two Bollinger and Williams 3-point attempts. Maryville escaped the Bosh with a 71-68 USA South victory.

Brevard was able to convert second chances throughout the contest, holding a 21-9 advantage on second-chance points. The Tornados' reserves outscored the Scots' by a 23-16 mark.

The Scots won the turnover battle, forcing 22 turnovers off of 10 steals. Brevard was called for 27 fouls compared to Maryville's 17.

The Scots were propelled by three double-digit scorers in the contest. Erin Beasley scored a game-high 16 points on an efficient 6-of-9 from the field. Klaire Varney stuffed the stat sheet with 15 points, eight rebounds, a game-high five assists, and caused havoc with six steals. Elisa Eckenrod added 10 points and eight rebounds to the Scots' efforts.

The Tornados hit the road this weekend for two USA South Conference contests. Brevard visits Decatur, Ga. for a test against Agnes Scott on Saturday at 2 p.m. before heading to Montgomery, Ala. for a USA South bout with Huntingdon on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. CT.

To follow along with all the latest news and updates surrounding Brevard College Athletics, please follow the Tornados on Twitter and Instagram @bctornados, or like Brevard College Athletics on Facebook.

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