Pioneers Come Up Short in 74-72 Loss to Voorhees

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Omari Bryson of Voorhees University made two free throws with :06 left to propel the visiting Tigers to an 74-72 win over host Spartanburg Methodist College on Tuesday night.

For the ninth time in 11 games, the contest was decided by five points or less for the Pioneers, who fall to 3-8 on the season. Bryan Bayonne led SMC with a game-high 29 points, where he made 10 of 19 shots from the field and was a perfect 7-for-7 from the free-throw line. He also grabbed 10 rebounds for a double double performance. Richard Rojas added a season-high 23 points to go along with eight rebounds.

The Tigers were paced by a double double from Keshawn Evans, who had 25 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. Bryson added 14 to join him in double figures. Voorhees managed to outscore SMC, 27-2 on bench scoring and 20-4 in points off turnovers in the win.

The game was tied three times, including at 72 before the game-deciding free-throw attempts by Bryson. After the free throws by Bryson, SMC called a timeout to set up a last-second shot by Bayonne that came up short to end the contest. 

Down one, 38-37 with 18:39 left in the game, a 9-0 run that included a thunderous dunk by Rojas and a 3-point play by Bayonne put SMC ahead 46-38 with 16:07 left to play. Voorhees answered with an 11-0 run by the visitors put the Tigers back in front for nearly the rest of the contest.

Another 3-point play by Bayonne with :31 to go tied the game at 72 and for the third time. Then, after a Voorhees timeout, the Tigers and Bryson got to the foul line with :06 left for the final margin. 

SMC will look to bounce back from the loss on Tuesday and its season-opening defeat to Columbia (SC) on Saturday at 4 p.m. at Bridges Arena for the final home game of the 2024 calendar year.