Late Rally Falls Short as Pioneers Drop 83–75 Decision to CIU

SPARTANBURG, SC - Twice in the final 1:28, the Spartanburg Methodist College men's basketball team cut the deficit to five, but the Pioneers' late rally came up short in an 83–75 loss to visiting Columbia International University on Thursday night.

Spartanburg Methodist (4–17, 2–11 AAC) recorded 12 blocked shots in the contest — marking just the third time since the 2012–13 season that SMC has posted double-digit rejections in a game.

 For the Pioneers, junior Kennedy Aiken-Shannon and freshman Cameron Pulley each delivered career-best performances, scoring 23 and 21 points, respectively. Freshman CJ Terrell also reached double figures with 14 points, while adding 10 rebounds and eight blocks. Terrell now has six double-doubles on the season, including four over the last five games.

Columbia International (13–8, 8–5 AAC) placed three players in double figures, led by Will Kelly's game-high 29 points. Kelly knocked down four three-pointers and went 15-for-17 from the free-throw line. Jeffrey Clark II and Connor Higgins followed with 17 and 14 points, respectively.

Trailing 69-49 with 6:22 remaining, the Pioneers ignited a comeback, putting together a 20–5 run over the next five minutes to pull within five at 74–69 after Aiken-Shannon converted a pair of free throws.

CIU responded with three of four free throws to extend the lead to eight, but Aiken-Shannon answered with a three-pointer to make it a five-point game, 77–72, with 50 seconds remaining. After additional free throws by the Rams and one of three at the line for SMC following a foul on a three-point attempt, Columbia International sealed the win by converting its final six free throws, despite a late basket by the Pioneers.

"I was proud of the way our guys continued to fight when things weren't going our way," said SMC head coach Blake Jackson. "Being down 20 late and still showing that level of resilience speaks to the character in our locker room. We're seeing growth, especially from our younger players, and that persistence will pay off as we keep building."

Weather has altered the upcoming schedule for the Pioneers, who will next travel to Reinhardt on Wednesday, Feb. 4, for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff. Saturday's game at Pikeville has been rescheduled for Monday, Feb. 16.