SMC Women Fall short to Nationals

Pioneers' season ends with 69-42 loss to South Georgia Tech in district title game

Spartanburg Methodist, down 13 at halftime, had a chance to rally early in the third quarter of Saturday's NCJAA Division I women's basketball district championship game.

South Georgia Tech, which led 36-23 at the start of the third quarter, used an 8-0 spurt after halftime to pull away for a 69-42 win at Bridges Arena and advanced to the 24-team NJCAA national tournament in Lubbock, Texas.

SMC (18-7) stayed within 10 points much of the first half, even cutting Tech's lead to three early in the second quarter thanks to a jumper and 3-pointer by Deja Marshall (Chester High). But a layup off a steal and 3-pointer by the Jets in a 7-0 run made it 25-15 with 6:09 left in the second quarter.

Marshall had a game-high 19 points. She and guard Dalton Gossett (Asheville, N.C.), form a core that will be tough to replace, Clark said, as just one freshman from this year's team will return.

Deja Marshall, Region X Player of the Year finished the season with 436 points and 79 steals on the season. 

Photo By: Spartanburg Herald