The Eagles Advance to AAC Championship After Win Over SMC

KINGSPORT, Tenn. — Reinhardt University leaned on timely 3-point shooting and a commanding effort on the glass to pull away from Spartanburg Methodist, 66-56, in the Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament semifinals Friday night at the MeadowView Marriott.

The Eagles led virtually wire to wire and used two key fourth-quarter sequences to put the game out of reach. Audrey Ekoue-Bla drilled a 3-pointer with 3:49 remaining to push the margin to 56-48, then Londaisha Smith knocked down late free throws in the final seconds to extend the advantage to 66-54 and effectively seal the win. A Spartanburg Methodist layup at the buzzer only closed the final gap to 10.

Reinhardt set the tone early, outscoring Spartanburg Methodist 15-8 in the first quarter behind balanced scoring and its work on the interior. The Eagles closed the opening frame with a 3-pointer from Taylor Collins that stretched the lead to 15-6, signaling the perimeter threat that would carry through the night. Spartanburg Methodist responded with trips to the free-throw line in the second quarter, including consecutive makes by Halle Traylor that trimmed the deficit to 21-13, but a late layup by Mackenzie Franklin sent Reinhardt into halftime in front 28-20.

The third quarter proved pivotal as Reinhardt continued to build separation. The Eagles posted a 16-12 edge in the frame, capped by Collins' buzzer-beating 3-pointer that pushed the lead to 44-32 heading to the fourth. From there, Reinhardt answered each Spartanburg Methodist push, using timely shots from deep and strong post play to keep the Pioneers at arm's length despite a 24-point fourth quarter from Spartanburg Methodist.

Ekoue-Bla led Reinhardt with 16 points, knocking down four 3-pointers to go with seven rebounds and three assists. Smith nearly had a double-double, finishing with 14 points and nine rebounds while shooting 5-for-7 from the field and 4-for-6 at the free-throw line. Collins added nine points and a pair of 3-pointers, giving the Eagles a third perimeter option. As a team, Reinhardt shot 40.0% from the floor (24-for-60) and 28.0% from 3-point range (7-for-25).

On the glass, the Eagles were dominant. Reinhardt held a 55-32 rebounding advantage, including 21 offensive rebounds that repeatedly extended possessions and limited Spartanburg Methodist's chances to mount a sustained comeback. The Eagles also tallied 15 assists on their 24 made field goals and used their length to register five blocks, helping hold Spartanburg Methodist to just 24.1% shooting from the field (13-for-54).

Traylor paced Spartanburg Methodist with 14 points, going 6-for-8 at the free-throw line while adding three assists and two steals. The Pioneers stayed in the game by converting 27 of 36 free throws (75.0%) and forcing 21 Reinhardt turnovers, but their struggles from the floor and on the boards proved too much to overcome.

With the semifinal win, the Eagles advance to the AAC Championship on Saturday at 3 p.m., where they are scheduled to face Milligan. Riding momentum from a strong defensive effort and balanced scoring, Reinhardt will look to carry its rebounding edge and perimeter shooting into competing for the  conference title. Also with this win, Reinhardt earned a bid into the 2025-26 NAIA National Tournament.