Pioneers Defeat St. Andrews for a Second Time

Laurinburg, N.C. – The Spartanburg Methodist College women's basketball team erased a three-point deficit after the first quarter and outscored host St. Andrews by a 22-9 margin in the second quarter en route to an 62-51 win on Wednesday.

The Pioneers (2-3), who were facing the Knights for the second time in 11 days, picked up their second win over SAU. In the win, Najah Gilliam scored a team-high 16 points to share game-high honors and to lead four SMC players in double figures. Destiny Middleton added 13, Latavius Wilson and Krystal Johnson scored 10 apiece.

The Knights (0-3) were led by 16 points from Katie Moore, who was joined in double figures by Londaisha Smith, who had 11.

SMC tied the game for the third time at 18 when Wilson hit her first of three-straight 3-pointers. The trifecta by Wilson sparked a 15-2 run for the visitors. In the second quarter, SMC shot 53.3% (8-for-15) from the field and defensively, they held the Knights to 25% (4-for-16).

SAU managed to cut the deficit to five, 35-30 with 7:22 left in the third quarter. SMC spoiled the comeback hopes with eight-straight points to make it a double-digit lead for nearly the remainder of the contest.  

Next, SMC will travel to Voorhees University on Saturday in Denmark, SC for a 1 p.m. tip off.

Photo by: Marc Mixtega