Johnson Scores 24, but CIU’s Second-Half Shooting Sends Rams Past SMC

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Visiting Columbia International University erased a one-point halftime deficit and shot 69.2 percent from the field in the second half to pull away for a 77–64 win over Spartanburg Methodist College on Thursday night.

The Pioneers (12-9, 7-7 AAC) were led by Krystal Johnson's 24-point performance, as she went 10-for-13 from the floor. Najah Gilliam added 17 points, while Destiny Middleton chipped in 15. SMC was held to 32.4 percent shooting for the game despite forcing 29 CIU turnovers.

Columbia International (6-13, 4-9 AAC) outrebounded the Pioneers by 31 and placed four players in double figures. Jerchel Geathers-Washington recorded a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Rams. Bryanna Belton finished with 12 points, while Sadie Burnette and Katie Johnson each added 11.

"You have to give credit to CIU," said SMC head coach Reid Walling. "They came in with a strong game plan, did a great job keeping us out of the paint, and shot the ball extremely well in the second half. We'll learn from this, clean up a few things on our end, and get back to work."

After falling behind by as many as 16 early in the second quarter, the Pioneers responded by scoring 24 of the final 31 points of the half to take a 33–32 lead into intermission. SMC limited the Rams to 25 percent shooting (5-for-20) in the period while connecting at a 46.7 percent clip themselves and converting 9-of-11 attempts from the free-throw line. Johnson scored nine points in the quarter, Gilliam added eight, and Middleton chipped in seven.

The second half featured two ties before CIU took control with a decisive 15–2 run, highlighted by three different Rams knocking down three-pointers after the visitors had connected on just one from beyond the arc in the first half. Columbia International continued to build momentum with a 17–4 stretch spanning the third and fourth quarters to seal the win.

"The thing I know about our team is that we'll respond," Walling added. "We'll be resilient and come back tomorrow ready to get better."

Weather has altered the upcoming schedule for the Pioneers, who will next travel to Reinhardt on Wednesday, Feb. 4, for a 5:30 p.m. tipoff. Saturday's game at Pikeville has been rescheduled for Monday, Feb. 16.