Bryan Snaps SMC’s Six-Game Win Streak with 84-72 Road Victory

Visiting Bryan shot 49.2% from the field and led for nearly the entire contest on its way to an 84-72 win over Spartanburg Methodist College, snapping a six-game winning streak for the host Pioneers.

SMC (12-8, 7-6 AAC) was led by a 24-point effort from senior Halle Traylor, who hit five 3-pointers, including a last-second trifecta just before the end of the first quarter. Fellow senior Destiny Middleton added 20 points, while Krystal Johnson scored 17 in the loss.

Bryan (15-4, 12-1 AAC) demonstrated balanced scoring, led by a game-high 26 points from Alyssa Petty. Kadee Ferrell recorded a double-double with 13 points and a game-high 12 rebounds, Autumn Davis added 14 points, and Molly Brown chipped in 11 as four Lions finished in double figures.

"You have to give credit to Bryan — they're a really good team," said SMC head coach Reid Walling. "We had a really tough start, obviously getting down 20-3. I am proud of how we fought back and gave ourselves a chance. Everyone in our locker room knows we need to be more disciplined and composed from start to finish. We also know we can compete with anybody, so I'm excited to keep going and getting better with this group."

The visitors opened the game on a 20-3 run to seize early control. Twice in the opening half, the Pioneers trimmed the deficit to eight points before Bryan carried a 43-32 lead into halftime. Middleton knocked down her third 3-pointer of the game with 2:54 left in the third quarter to cap a 15-4 run to open the second half, pulling SMC within four at 51-47. However, six straight points by the Lions halted the momentum and kept the Pioneers from drawing any closer on the way to the victory.

SMC will return to action on Wednesday, January 28, when it hosts CIU at 5:30 p.m.