SMC Men's Basketball Picks Up Record-Setting Win at CAC Tournament

LAWRENCE, Kansas – The Spartanburg Methodist College men's basketball team held Washington Adventist to two points in the final four minutes on its way to a record-setting 67-62 win on Friday. With the game tied at 60, an offensive rebound by Tavarez Lacey set up a jump shot by Bryan Bayonne to spark a game-deciding 7-2 spurt en route to a 67-62 record-setting win for SMC.

For SMC, who is in its first year of NAIA play, punched its ticket to the semifinals of the Continental Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Tournament with the win. Lacey and Bayonne led the Pioneers with 24 and 18 points, respectively. Lacey also pulled down 16 rebounds – eight on the offensive side for a double double. With the win, the Pioneers raise their record to 11-15.

Washington Adventist, who had won the two previous meetings, ends its season with a 10-13 mark. Chase Cooke led three Shock in double figures with 19 points, Julian King and Emanuel Hylton had 13 and 11 points, respectively.

"It was a hard fought game today by both teams," said SMC head coach Blake Jackson after the win. "I am really proud of how our guys responded in the second half. Tavarez (Lacey) stepped up big tonight especially on the glass grabbing 16 rebounds. Bryan (Bayonne) played well and hit some big shots for us. Everyone stepped up tonight and I am extremely proud of them."

Next, Spartanburg Methodist College will play No. 2 seed Arkansas Baptist on Saturday, Mar. 1 at 6 p.m. (CST)/7 p.m. (EST).