MARYVILLE, TN – The William Peace men's basketball team went 16-of-30 (53.3%) from beyond the arc, equaling the program record for three-pointers made in a game and establishing a new benchmark for three-point field goal percentage, as the Pacers held on in overtime to beat league leading Maryville College, 97-94.
There were 11 ties and seven lead changes throughout the contest as WPU improves to 5-8 overall with a 1-1 record in the USA South. Maryville is 2-1 in the conference and drops to 7-7 overall.
The Pacers were outscored in the paint, 46-22, and allowed 12 points off 13 turnovers, but six more buckets from both the bonusphere and free-throw line made the difference. Maryville shot it well from long-distance going 10-of-25 (40%). The Scots only went 16-of-26 (61.5%) at the line though, including two misses at the end of regulation which would have won it. WPU went 21-of-26 from the charity stripe, the most they've made in a game this season, good for a season high 81% clip.
"After last week against Piedmont, we were extremely pleased with how we competed tonight for 45 minutes," said head coach Claude Shields. "It was obvious that our guys believed they belonged."
WPU had five players score in double-figures, led by Nate Strother's second career-high game of 21 points this year. Strother drained a career high six three-pointers and also came down with six rebounds in only 26 minutes off the bench.
Chris Thomas had 14 points and seven rebounds. Shawn Shaffer scored 14 to go along with five boards and an assist. Jalen Vince also scored 14 in addition to five assists and a pair of rebounds. Terry Rogers had 11 points and three assists in 14 minutes off the bench. Michael Wolf and Ryan Emfinger each scored nine, with Emfinger bringing down a team high eight rebounds and Wolf dishing out a team best five assists.
Maryville's Oscar Butler registered a game high 24 points and seven boards, while Spencer Shoffner had 21points, five rebounds, and three steals. Jaumonee Byrd, last year's conference player of the year, scored 13 with a game high 15 rebounds for a double-double. Antonio Jackson scored eight and had 10 assists.
"It was a total team effort this evening," Shields added. "We are hoping to use this as a springboard into the rest of our season, starting tomorrow afternoon against Covenant."
The Pacers will tip-off against the Scots tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. Video coverage and live stats will be available for the contest.
– Saturday, 4:00 p.m. at Covenant – Video l Live Stats
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