INDIANAPOLIS – Luke Williams recorded career highs with 26 points and eight rebounds but the Maryville men's basketball team was narrowly defeated 81-80 at Indianapolis. His 26 points are the most by a Saint this season, and he hit five 3-pointers to highlight his night. Lucas Burton added 19 points, while Davis Walker finished with 10 points. UIndy scored the eventual game winner with 24.1 seconds left before the Saints had a chance in the final seconds as well as a heave at the buzzer.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Trailing 14-9, the Saints surged ahead with seven straight points. Anthony Holden started the run with a bucket before Luke Williams took over. He had a driving layup and completed the three-point play before hitting a pull-up jumper for a 16-14 lead. UIndy went back in front until Williams converted to tie the score at 19-all. The Greyhounds inched back ahead and Francisco Espinosa scored in the lane to cut the Maryville deficit to 30-28. However, UIndy tallied 10 straight to stretch out its advantage. A Williams triple and a bucket by Holden brought the Saints to 45-38 at intermission.
 
Lucas Burton scored on a drive, and Anthony Holden drilled a wing 3-pointer to pull the Saints to within 48-46 early in the second half. The gap stood at 52-46 before the Saints stormed ahead. Maryville embarked on a 13-1 spree to grab the lead. Burton scored the first three points on free throws before an alley-oop dunk pulled the Saints to within one. Davis Walker drilled consecutive 3-pointers to push the Saints ahead, and Burton hammered down a breakaway dunk for a 59-53 advantage. A Trey Redd triple built a 64-57 lead, Maryville's largest of the night. The Saints still led 66-59 after a Holden layup with 11:48 to play.
 
UIndy eventually pulled even but Lawrence Brazil III converted a layup in transition for a 72-70 advantage at the 7:32 mark. The teams traded baskets and a Burton hoop made it 74-73. Redd sank both ends of a one-and-one to push the Saints back ahead. Walker grabbed an offensive rebound and his stick back made it 78-76 with 4:15 to go. Both teams kept converting their chances, and Williams hit a pullup jumper from the elbow as the Saints went back up 80-78 with exactly three minutes remaining. UIndy scored on a free throw but took the lead on a drive with 24.1 seconds left.
 
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Points: Luke Williams - 26
Rebounds: Anthony Holden, Davis Walker, Luke Williams - 8
Assists: Luke Williams - 5
3-Pointers: Luke Williams - 5
Steals: Lucas Burton - 2
Blocked Shots: Anthony Holden and Davis Walker - 2
 
RECORDS:
Maryville: 7-14, 3-10 GLVC
Indianapolis: 13-9, 7-7 GLVC
 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Saints continue their road weekend as they head over to Illinois Springfield Saturday, Feb. 8, for a 3 p.m. contest. Read Full Article