SMC Battles AAC Leader Milligan in Hard-Fought Home Loss

The Spartanburg Methodist College women's basketball team went toe-to-toe and basket-for-basket with Appalachian Athletic Conference leader Milligan on Wednesday night. The visiting Buffs built a lead as large as 22, but the Pioneers refused to concede.

Spartanburg Methodist College (13-11, 8-9 AAC) was led by a game-high 22 points from senior Najah Gilliam, who paced four Pioneers in double figures. Reserves Destiny Middleton and Krystal Johnson added 16 and 15 points, respectively, and were joined in double figures by Halle Traylor, who finished with 11 points and five assists. Middleton also recorded a team-high seven rebounds in the loss.

Milligan (15-7, 14-1 AAC) was led by Semaj Clark, who posted 21 points, nine rebounds, and six assists. She was joined in double figures by McKenna Myers and Kenzie Campbell, who scored 17 and 12 points, respectively.

The visitors led nearly from start to finish, but that did not stop the Pioneers from mounting multiple comeback attempts. Milligan built its advantage back to 14 in the final 10 minutes before the Pioneers cut the deficit to four, 76-72, with six seconds remaining after Traylor drove in for a layup. The Buffs sealed the win by converting their final two free throws, finishing 4-of-6 at the line down the stretch.

Next, SMC will travel to Cleveland, Georgia, on Saturday at 2 p.m. to face Truett McConnell in the first matchup between the two teams this season.