SMC Men's Basketball Falls by 93-91 Margin to Reinhardt

Waleska, Ga. – A tireless effort from tip to the final horn was also the same and the margin of defeat was also the same – two points – as the Spartanburg Methodist College men's basketball team dropped a 93-91 decision to host Reinhardt on Tuesday. 

Three Pioneers – Bryan Bayonne (21 pts.), Jeremy Gregory (21 pts.) and Kenny Burns (20 pts.) – scored in double figures in the loss as SMC falls to 0-3 on the season. 

Reinhardt (1-0), who was playing in its season opener, was led by Tee Williams, who scored a game-high 26 to lead the Eagles. Nate Jones added 18 to join him in double figures along with 14 and 13 points by Derrick Brown and Zae Wiggins, respectively.

The Eagles started the game on a 9-2 run for the early lead en route to a 46-37 at halftime. Indicative of what is quickly becoming part of the Blake Jackson style at SMC is there was no quit in the Pioneers. SMC came back in the second half despite falling behind as much as 16.

A 15-5 spurt midway in the final 20 minutes by the Pioneers made it a one-possession, three-point game, 78-75 when Bayonne made a layup with 5:56 left to play. Twice, the Pioneers got within two in the closing minutes, but Williams had an answer – a 3 pointer to spoil the comeback hopes for SMC.

Next, SMC will return home to host Warner on Saturday at 4 p.m.