Hot-Shooting Second Half Lifts Tennessee Wesleyan Past SMC, 83–75

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Tennessee Wesleyan knocked down eight of its 14 three-pointers in the second half to erase a five-point halftime deficit on its way to an 83-75 win over the Spartanburg Methodist College women's basketball team on Saturday.

The Bulldogs (2-2, 1-1 AAC) were powered by six second-half threes from Leslie Hames, who finished with a game-high 22 points to lead five TWU players in double figures.

The Pioneers (4-3, 0-2 AAC) were led by a 19-point effort from Halle Traylor. Zy Bell and Najah Gilliam added 13 points apiece, while Shaelyn Hayes provided a season-high 12 points off the bench.

Traylor's pair of free throws with 7:21 left in the third quarter pushed the Pioneers' lead to 10 at 42-32. However, an 18-5 run by the visiting Bulldogs gave TWU a 50-47 edge, capped by Hames' fourth three-pointer of the quarter.

SMC briefly regained the lead in the fourth quarter on back-to-back layups from Bell, and held a one-possession advantage until Julia Howard put the Bulldogs ahead 67-65 with 5:44 remaining. Hames followed with two more threes to keep TWU in front and stall the Pioneers' comeback bid.

Next up, SMC will close out its five-game homestand when it hosts Reinhardt on Saturday, Nov. 22 at 2 p.m.