Strong Defense, Rebounding Lift SMC Past Montreat

The Spartanburg Methodist College women's basketball team extended its winning streak to three games and improved its road record to 7–2 with an 86–62 victory over host Montreat on Saturday.

Spartanburg Methodist College (9–7, 4–5 AAC) was led by a dominant 25-point, 15-rebound performance from sophomore Krystal Johnson. While Johnson set the tone, the win reflected a complete team effort. Senior Halle Traylor finished with 22 points and five assists to pace the Pioneers offensively.

Senior Najah Gilliam was the third Pioneer in double figures with 16 points. Freshman Shaelyn Hayes added seven points and 11 rebounds, freshman Diamond Tatum contributed nine points and six rebounds, and senior Destiny Middleton chipped in nine points, five rebounds, and four steals. SMC controlled the glass throughout the contest, finishing with 16 offensive rebounds, including seven from Johnson.

Montreat (5–11, 3–7 AAC) was led by Sarah Williams, who scored a team-high 22 points in the loss. The Cavaliers were limited to 36.4 percent shooting from the field and committed 22 turnovers.

"I am really proud of how hard we played today," said SMC head coach Reid Walling. "Our players did a great job of winning the paint and getting on the offensive boards. What excites me most is that we stacked another day of giving the level of effort required to be great on the defensive end of the floor. Excited to keep getting better with this group."

The host Cavaliers opened the game on a 9–2 run before Middleton knocked down a 3-pointer with 6:12 remaining in the first quarter. Montreat maintained the lead until Tatum connected from beyond the arc to give SMC a 15–14 advantage with 42 seconds left in the opening period. A last-second layup by Johnson to close the quarter set the tone for the second, as the Pioneers outscored Montreat 29–12 to seize control of the game.

Next, SMC will travel to Columbia, S.C., for a rematch against Columbia College on Wednesday, Jan. 14, at 8 p.m. The Koalas claimed the earlier meeting, 77–76 in overtime, on Nov. 12.