Springfield, Mo. – The Maryville men's basketball team recorded its first victory in program history at Drury with a 74-57 triumph Thursday evening. The Saints had lost their previous 13 games versus the Panthers in Springfield. Jaeden Smith drilled six 3-pointers en route to a season-high 18 points to mark the occasion.
 
Drury recap
The Saints grabbed the early lead and never let up in recording a wire-to-wire triumph. Ben Palacios hit two free throws and a layup for a quick 4-0 lead. Drury scored on its next possession before the Saints reeled off eight straight points. Smith splashed in his first triple of the night to start the run. Dewayne Vass scored on a drive in the lane, and Dylan Ingram sank a trey for a 12-2 advantage. Colin Schuler splashed in a 3-pointer as the Saints went up 17-6. Drury cut the gap to 19-10 until the Saints answered with another 8-0 burst. Vass made a layup, and Ingram and Palacios hit back-to-back 3-pointers for a 27-10 cushion. Drury made a late run as the Maryville offense stalled, and the Saints settled for a 34-28 edge at halftime.
 
The Panthers got as close as 35-31 before the Saints re-established control with nine straight points. Smith nailed a 3-pointer, and Vass had consecutive layups in the paint. Ingram's layup pushed Maryville back up 44-31 and forced a Drury timeout. The Panthers closed to 46-38 but the Saints again had the answer. JT Morgan scored on a layup, and Palacios drilled a trey. Vass grabbed a defensive rebound and went the distance for a 53-38 lead with 13 minutes to play. The Saints stayed in front and pushed the advantage to as much as 63-44 and cruised to their first ever win in Springfield.
 
Smith scored all 18 of his points from deep as he hit 6-of-11 from beyond the arc and added five rebounds. Vass finished with 16 points and five caroms, while Palacios chipped in 12 points and five rebounds. Colin Schuler led the Saints with a season-best seven rebounds. The Saints limited Drury to just 36.9 percent shooting from the field.
 
Statistical Leaders
Points: Jaeden Smith - 18
Rebounds: Colin Schuler - 7
Assists: JT Morgan, Trey Redd and Dewayne Vass - 3
3-Pointers: Jaeden Smith - 6
Steals: Trey Redd - 1
Blocked shots: Tutu Chisholm and JT Morgan - 1
 
Records
Maryville: 14-10, 7-9 GLVC
Drury: 7-16, 3-12 GLVC
 
What's Next?
The Saints are on the road for the final time this season as they play at Southwest Baptist Saturday, Feb. 11, in Bolivar, Mo.