SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Carolina University Women's Basketball team closed out the regular season Saturday afternoon with a hard-fought 85-79 road loss to Spartanburg Methodist at Bridges Arena.
Carolina (7-18) battled throughout and used a strong fourth-quarter surge to cut into a 16-point deficit, but the early third-quarter run by Spartanburg Methodist (15-13) proved to be the difference.
The Bruins shot an efficient 47.5 percent from the field and connected on 10-of-23 (43.5 percent) from three-point range. Carolina also converted 13-of-16 free throws (81.3 percent), including a 12-of-14 effort in the fourth quarter.
Dearia Page led the way with 23 points and a game-high 15 rebounds, adding seven assists in a complete performance. Maria Beltran contributed nine points off the bench, knocking down three three-pointers, while Tynilla Simpkins added 11 points, including key free throws down the stretch. Angelina Jordan finished with 11 points, and Mya Smith chipped in 10.
After trailing 24-17 at the end of the first quarter, the Bruins responded by outscoring Spartanburg Methodist 19-15 in the second to cut the deficit to 39-36 at halftime. However, the home team used a 27-point third quarter to stretch its lead, entering the final frame ahead 66-52.
Carolina refused to go quietly, pouring in 27 fourth-quarter points and trimming the margin to as little as three in the closing minutes before Spartanburg Methodist secured the win at the free throw line.
Head Coach Hannah Latiolais praised her team's resilience following the contest.
"I'm proud of the way our group competed for 40 minutes," said Latiolais. "We faced adversity on the road, but our response in the fourth quarter showed the heart and toughness of this team. Now our focus shifts to tournament play, where it's about execution and playing our best basketball at the right time."
Carolina will now turn its attention to the Continental Athletic Conference (CAC) Tournament. The Bruins open tournament play on Friday, February 27 at 7 p.m. against No. 4 seed Washington Adventist at Georgia Gwinnett College, host site of this year's CAC Tournament.
