SMC Comes Just Short in CAC Men's Basketball Tournament Championship

LAWRENCE, Kansas – A last-second 3-point attempt by Bryan Bayonne hit the back of the rim and fell just short as the Spartanburg Methodist College men's basketball team lost 64-62 to Carolina University in the championship game of the Continental Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Tournament on Sunday night.

Bayonne, who was named the conference Player of the Year prior to the tournament, finished the game with a double double, 20 points and 14 rebounds. Teammate Kelton Teasley also had a double double with 12 points and 12 rebounds in the defeat.

The Pioneers nearly completed the comeback after being down as much as 17 in the contest. Bayonne made two of three free throws to culminate a 21-4 run by SMC to put the Pioneers ahead 46-43 with 10:09 left to play.

SMC remained in front for the next five minutes until Chris High and the Bruins tied it at 55 on a 3-pointer with 5:21 to go. Carolina stretched the lead to five when Cameron Buchanan hit a 3-pointer with 1:50 left to play.

Indicative of the season, there was not an ounce of quit on the SMC side. The Pioneers called a timeout and after the break, Bayonne drove in for a layup to make it a three-point game with 1:29 to go. Then, Teasley got the Pioneers within two, 64-62, when he made one of two free throws with :51 to play.

An offensive foul by the Bruins gave the ball back to the Pioneers with :22 to go. SMC had a pair of chances to tie the game that were just short. SMC quickly fouled on the defensive rebound and after Carolina missed the front end of a 1-and-1, the Pioneers called the time out to set up the shot for Bayonne.

Chris High led the Bruins with 24 points on five 3 pointers, teammate Davon Cottle added 12. Aundree Pok had nine points, six assists five steals and 16 rebounds in the win for Carolina.

Following the game, Bryan Bayonne and Tavarez Lacey were named to the CAC All-Tournament Team.