Columbia Edges SMC in Overtime Thriller, 77-76

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Down by one with less than a second remaining, Makiah Thompson made a layup to lift the visiting Columbia College women's basketball team to a 77-76 overtime win over host Spartanburg Methodist College on Wednesday night.

Spartanburg Methodist (4-2, 0-1 AAC) had taken a 76-75 lead when Kamya Hatten sank a pair of free throws with 14 seconds left in the extra period before Thompson's game-winning basket. Hatten, who scored six of the Pioneers' 12 points in overtime, finished with 18 as four Pioneers reached double figures in the loss.

Najah Gilliam led all scorers with 22 points, while Halle Traylor added 14 and Krystal Johnson scored 10. Zy Bell had a strong all-around game, collecting seven steals and five assists for the Pioneers.

Columbia (2-2, 1-0 AAC) also placed four players in double figures, led by De'Asia Feaster, who posted a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Anaya Muhammad added 14 points, Thompson had 12, and Taylor Boddie chipped in 10.

SMC trailed 74-70 in the extra period with 1:48 remaining. A jumper by Hatten made it a two-point game, and a steal by Bell set up a layup by Gilliam to cut the deficit to 74-72 with 55 seconds left. The Koalas pushed the lead back to three when Muhammad made one of two free throws with 34 seconds to play.

Following a 30-second timeout by SMC head coach Reid Walling, Hatten was fouled and converted two free throws to put the Pioneers ahead 75-74 with 23 seconds left. After Columbia regained possession, SMC's Diamond Tatum forced a turnover with 20 seconds to play, setting up Hatten's free throws moments later that gave SMC a brief 76-75 lead — before Thompson's decisive basket sealed the win for Columbia.

Next, Spartanburg Methodist hosts Tennessee Wesleyan on Saturday, Nov. 15, at 2 p.m. inside Bridges Arena.