Flyers Unable to Overcome Long-range Shooting Prowess of the Pioneers

Fueled by a barrage of three-point baskets, visiting Spartanburg Methodist began pulling away from the Sandhills Community College basketball team midway through the first half on Tuesday evening at The Hangar

Outscored 27-3 on shots from beyond the arc, the Flyers trailed 50-37 at the intermission on the way to a 103-77 loss.

Coach Mike Apple's squad fell to 5-4 on the season while the Division I Pioneers improved to 7-1. The Flyers are idle until Wednesday, December 1 when they entertain Patrick Henry CC, starting at 6 p.m.

The Flyers took a 14-11 lead with 12 minutes remaining in the first half on a floater for two by Jordan Coleman. The Pioneers responded by draining four treys during a 23-4 run that put them in front 34-18.

The visitors were 9-for-18 overall in the half on three-point attempts compared to 1-for-9 for the Flyers.

The second half began with Flyer baskets by Joey McMullin, Nasir Johnson and Coleman, cutting the deficit to seven at 50-43. The margin was still seven points with 16:55 remaining in the game when a basket by Harold Johnson, Jr. triggered an 18-4 Pioneer run that made it 70-49 at the 12-minute mark.

Freshman Isaiah Nelson with 13 points, and Zac Sledge with 11, were the only double-figure scorers for the home team. Johnson added eight points to go along six rebounds and six assists. Harold Johnson, Jr. scored a game-high 19 points for the team from South Carolina.

The Flyers were ranked No. 8 in Tuesday's NJCAA Division III poll. Herkimer College, NY (7-0) remained in the No. 1 spot.

Spartanburg Methodist – Butler 5 4-4 15, Paez 4 4-4 14, Johnson, Jr. 9 0-0 19, Jones 5 2-2 16, Brooks 1 0-0 2, Byrd 0 0-0 0, Williams 1 0-0 2, Willaims 5 6-7 18, Jenkins 0 0-0 0, Washington 1 0-0 2, Tremble 0 0-0 0, Marlowe 4 1-2 11, Diedhiou 2 0-0 4 Totals 37 17-19 103. Sandhills – Johnson 4 0-0 8, Coleman 4 0-0 8, Stoltz 2 0-0 5, McMullin 2 3-4 7, Sledge 5 1-3 11, Wooldridge 0 0-0 0, Perry 2 1-2 6, Hunter 2 2-2 6, Brayboy 0 4-4 4, Hanani 0 0-0 0, McCaster 3 2-2 8, Nelson 6 1-1 13, Asante 0 0-0 0 Totals 30 14-18 77. Three-point goals: SM 12 (Jones 4, Paez 2, Willaims 2, Marlowe 2, Butler, Johnson, Jr.); SCC 3 (Perry, Hunter, Stoltz).

C. Bergmann