Five Players in Double Figures Fuel Pioneers’ Victory at Reinhardt

WALESKA, GA – Five members of the Spartanburg Methodist College men's basketball team, including four starters, scored in double figures as the Pioneers secured an 86-79 road win over Reinhardt on Wednesday night.

SMC (6-17, 4-11 AAC), aiming for a spot in the upcoming AAC Tournament, put together a complete team performance. The Pioneers held a four-rebound advantage and went to the free-throw line 18 more times than Reinhardt. Kennedy Aiken-Shannon led the way with 19 points, including a team-high five 3-pointers. CJ Terrell added 15 points, all coming in the second half, while Kelton Teasley also scored 15. Calvin Brown contributed 14, and off the bench, Caleb Jenkins added 13.

Reinhardt (6-16, 5-10 AAC) was paced by Tee Williams, who had a game-high 27 points on 11-of-21 shooting. AJ Shaw scored 15, and Nekhi Fisher added 12 for the Eagles.

The Pioneers trailed 38-36 at halftime but shot 50% from the field in the second half to pull away. Reinhardt briefly regained the lead at 41-38, and the two teams were tied eight times in the half. Trailing 73-72 with 4:01 remaining, Musa Muriithi found Terrell for a basket that put SMC back ahead. The Eagles cut the lead to 76-74 with 1:40 left, but Brown quickly found Aiken-Shannon for a 3-pointer, extending the lead. SMC then sealed the victory by making five of its final six free throws.

The Pioneers return home to host Bluefield on Saturday at 4 p.m. In the previous meeting on Dec. 13 in Bluefield, Virginia, the Rams defeated SMC 99-65.