Fourth Quarter Run Sparks SMC to 83-74 Win over Carolina
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Carolina (N.C.) (8-6) | 18 | 16 | 16 | 24 | 74 |
|
Spartanburg Methodist (4-10) | 17 | 19 | 18 | 29 | 83 |
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – With 4:33 left in the game and the contest tied for the 11th time, a 10-2 run in the fourth quarter by host Spartanburg Methodist College propelled the women's basketball team to an 83-74 win over host Carolina University in its CAC opener on Tuesday.
Spartanburg Methodist College (4-10) had five players in double figures in the win with Najah Gilliam, scoring a team-best 19 to lead the Pioneers. Also, for SMC, JaiDah Liebert scored 16, Krystal Johnson scored 14, Latavius Wilson had a season-high 13 and Destiny Middleton added 12 in the win.
The Pioneers shot a season-best 44.4% from the field in the win and was one shy of a season-best mark with 20 free throws made. Middleton scored in double digits for the 12th time in 14 games, also for SMC, Gilliam poured in double figures for the seventh time; meanwhile for Liebert, it was her sixth time and for Johnson, it was her fifth time and third in a row.
Carolina University (8-6) was led by Keyani Jackson, who had a double double with 20 points and 11 rebounds. She had 15 of her 20 in the first 10 minutes to lead the Bruins, who had four in double figures. Felesia Ondongo came off the bench to score 19, Le'Asia Matthews and Bianca Gonzalez each had 12 in the defeat.
The fourth quarter alone saw the game tied on five occasions and six lead changes. Also, in the final 10 minutes SMC shot 77.8% from the field as they outscored Carolina, 29-24 in the win. The Bruins tied the game at 66 when Ondongo hit her fourth 3-pointer of the game to tie the contest at 66.
Then, SMC went ahead on a transition layup by Krystal Johnson with 4:13 to play. Then, on the Pioneers forced a Bruins turnover and the Pioneers added to their lead when Wilson hit her third 3-pointer of the game just before the shot clock expired for a 71-66 advantage as the Pioneers would score on its next two possessions on its way to the win.
Now, the Pioneers will resume Continental Athletic Conference play where they will face Florida National on Thursday, January 9 at 5 p.m. on the campus of Florida College in Temple Terrace, Florida.
