Maryville’s Abby Deuthman scores new school record with career high

Top of the heap. That’s where Maryville University’s Abby Duethman is for the Saints women’s basketball program.

A 5-foot-10, senior forward, Duethman became Maryville’s all-time leading scorer when she topped the 1,329-point plateau recently. Against the Bellarmine Knights, Duethman hit 10-of-18 shots en route to a game-high 20 points and added eight rebounds in an 84-63 victory. With her final basket against Bellarmine, Duethman scored the 1,330th point in her career to become Maryville’s career scoring leader.

“It’s a pretty big honor,” Duethman said, noting that she didn’t get there by herself.

“I couldn’t have gotten to that point without my coaches and teammates helping me along the way,” she said. “I give most of the credit to them.”

That’s typical of her, said veteran Maryville coach Chris Ellis.

“In our time of showmanship, Abby is a breath of fresh air,” Ellis said. “Her shooting and rebounding and all around basketball skills are excellent, (but) probably Abby’s greatest strength is that she is a great teammate. No matter the numerous accolades she receives, she is humble and gracious while at the same time being a great competitor and always displaying the highest level of sportsmanship.”

Topping the record came unnoticed by Duethman.

“During the game, I wasn’t keeping track of my points,” Duethman said. “I didn’t want to overthink it too much. Coach kept drawing plays for me to get the shot. I got a pass from Kate Childs. It was a hook layup-type jumper. When everyone started cheering, I knew I got it. I had four fouls and about 2:30 left in the game. I was cutting it close.”

After the women’s game, school officials brought Duethman to halfcourt and handed her the game ball. During a media time-out of men’s game, she also was honored and pictures were taken of her holding the ball and wearing a T-shirt that was made for her.

Setting the school scoring record was not a goal for Duethman. She just wanted to play college basketball after graduating from St. Theresa’s in Kansas City.

“I had no idea I would even get close to it,” Duethman said. “I never thought of it.”

In reality, she almost didn’t have a college career to begin with. An injury in high school set her back.

Duethman was recruited by assistant coach Jason Yorg, who knew her from watching her play for St. Teresa’s.

“He informed me about Abby and we received a DVD from her junior year when she had an incredible game in the big Hy Vee Classic out there,” Ellis said. “The announcers stated she would be a bona fide Division I prospect. Then she injured her foot and really didn’t have a senior year. She more or less fell off the radar and upon her visit, we were not even sure she would pursue her playing career in college.

“When she got to us, she was out of shape because of her injury, and I have to be honest in saying I didn’t think she would make it. However, she proved me wrong and I have never been so happy to be wrong about something or someone in my life.”

She has been a captain for the last two years. Ellis said she earned the honor by her play.

“Abby leads by example. I never have to ask her to do the dirty jobs on the floor like rebound, dive for loose balls or mix it up in the post,” Ellis said. “She can also eloquently verbalize her opinions and thoughts so as to get her point across and not offend. She and Kate Childs have provided us with amazing leadership these past two seasons.”

While her career at Maryville is winding down, Duethman still has some goals.

“I hope we get far in the GLVC tournament again and get another tournament victory and make it to the NCAA Tournament,” Duethman said. “We won the GLVC last year but lost in he first round to Ashland (Ohio). I think we have a good enough team to do it again. That’s our first goal – get to GLVC tournament and win it.”

Her time at Maryville has flown by.

“It’s crazy but it feels like yesterday that I was a freshman,” Duethman said. “The last four years have gone by so fast. It’s kind of bittersweet. I’ll be sad when it’s over.”