Pioneers Pull Away in Fourth Quarter to Top Columbia (S.C.), 75–70

COLUMBIA, S.C. — With the score tied at 44 entering the fourth quarter, the Spartanburg Methodist College women's basketball team outscored host Columbia (S.C.) 31–26 over the final 10 minutes to earn a 75–70 victory Wednesday night, securing its fourth straight win.

Spartanburg Methodist College (10–7, 5–5 AAC) avenged a 77–76 overtime loss to the Koalas on November 15 with the victory and has now won six of its last seven games, all coming away from home and Bridges Arena.

Senior Destiny Middleton led the way, scoring 11 of her team-high 25 points in the final quarter. Middleton connected on a pair of three-pointers as SMC shot 56.3 percent from the field and sealed the win by making 10 of 11 free throws in the final 10 minutes.

Middleton was joined in double figures by senior Halle Traylor, who finished with 18 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Sophomore Krystal Johnson added 15 points to round out the Pioneers' double-figure scorers.

SMC head coach Reid Walling said the victory reflected his team's continued growth, particularly after a pair of close losses to Columbia earlier this season.

"We really try to stay focused on getting better no matter the opponent, but after losing to this team in overtime twice in a row, I know it means a lot to our players to leave here with a win," Walling said. "Like every game since we've been back, it was hard—and that's great, because this group is really starting to embrace the hard. I'm proud of our team and excited to keep watching them come together."

Columbia (S.C.) falls to 8–9 overall and 4–6 in the Appalachian Athletic Conference. The host Koalas were led by Makiah Thompson, who recorded a game-high 26 points along with eight rebounds and seven assists. Natalie Patts also finished in double figures with 19 points and eight rebounds.

With the game tied at 44, senior Najah Gilliam scored the first five points of the fourth quarter to give SMC a 49–44 advantage. Later in the period, Middleton's three-pointer pushed the lead to eight, 54–48, with 7:25 remaining. The Koalas trimmed the deficit to four, 64–60, with 1:41 left, but following a timeout by Walling, Middleton connected on her second three-pointer of the game to halt the comeback. SMC then secured the victory by converting its final eight free-throw attempts.

Next, SMC returns home for the first time in 42 days—and for the first time in 2026—when it hosts Union Commonwealth on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Bridges Arena. The Bulldogs and Pioneers will meet for the first time.