Strong Defense, Balanced Scoring Lead SMC Women’s Basketball to 98-74 Win at ABAC

TIFTON, Ga. – Defensively, the Spartanburg Methodist College women's basketball team held host Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College to just 17 first-half points on its way to a 98-74 victory Saturday afternoon. The win moves SMC to 2-0 for the fifth time in the last six seasons.

Destiny Middleton paced the Pioneers with 29 points, connecting on four 3-pointers to lead four players in double figures. Najah Gilliam added 17 points off the bench, while Shaelyn Hayes and Halle Traylor each contributed 11 in the win.

ABAC (0-2) was led by Shakira Chaneyh, who scored a game-high 40 points, while reserve Camiya Starks added 16 for the Fillies.

"I was really proud of how we set the tone defensively early," said SMC head coach Reid Walling. "Our energy and communication on that end made the difference. Offensively, we shared the ball well and had great balance, which is something we've been emphasizing since preseason."

A 13-2 run late in the first quarter helped SMC build a double-digit lead, and the Pioneers' defense limited ABAC to just four points over the first seven minutes of the second quarter to put the game out of reach.

Next, the Pioneers will be off until Thursday, Oct. 30, when they travel to face Georgia Gwinnett before returning home for a five-game homestand.