St. Louis – Dewayne Vass scored on a layup with 40.6 seconds left to provide the Maryville men's basketball team the winning points in a 61-59 decision over William Jewell. The victory is the second straight in league play for the Saints. Ari Jackson and JT Morgan tallied 12 points apiece to lead the Saints. Vass finished with 10 points, while Tutu Chisholm hauled down a career-best 13 rebounds.
 
William Jewell recap
With the score tied at 59-59, Vass drove down the right side and scored in traffic for a 61-59 lead. The Maryville defense forced the Cardinals into a turnover with 10.6 ticks to go. The Saints were fouled but missed the front end of the one-and-one with 8.9 seconds remaining. The Cardinals pushed the ball up the middle of the floor and took what would have been the game winner at the buzzer but the shot misfired as the Saints held on for the dramatic win.
 
The Saints led 10-8 before Ari Jackson and Tutu Chisholm converted consecutive layups for a six-point lead. After a WJC bucket, Jackson drilled a 3-pointer as the Saints stretched their margin to 19-12. The Cardinals closed to 23-20 but JT Morgan had a three-point play, and Chisholm followed for a 28-20 edge. WJC rallied to tie the score at 29-29 but Anthony Holden scored on a layup, and Morgan converted inside to give the Saints a 33-29 margin at halftime.
 
The Cardinals made a run to start the second half and took a 43-38 lead with 12:36 to play. The Saints answered with six straight points to go back in front 44-43. After one Vass free throw, Jackson and Holden scored inside to put the Saints ahead. The Cardinals answered for a 50-48 edge. Trey Redd scored two straight layups but WJC tied the score at 52-52. Redd had the answer, and after Vass sank one at the line, Jackson's layup pushed the Saints ahead 57-52. The score was tied at 57-57 all but Chisholm powered up for a layup and a 59-57 lead with 1:16 to play. WJC tied it on a Trey Shannon layup with 56.5 seconds to play to set up the drama in waning seconds.
 
Statistical Leaders
Points: Ari Jackson and JT Morgan - 12
Rebounds: Tutu Chisholm - 13
Assists: Dewayne Vass- 5
3-Pointers: Ari Jackson - 2
Steals: four players - 1
Blocks: Anthony Holden - 2
 
Records
Maryville: 6-8, 2-6 GLVC
William Jewell: 10-6, 4-4 GLVC
 
What's Next?
The Saints continue their homestand Saturday, Jan. 20, as they welcome Rockhurst to Moloney Arena for a 3:15 tip.