The Eagles Picked Up the 79-52 AAC Victory over SMC

The Eagles Picked Up the 79-52 AAC Victory over SMC
Video Box Score
February 5, 2026
Waleska, GA - The Eagles used a fast start, consistent scoring, and a stifling defensive effort to pull away from Spartanburg Methodist for a 79-52 victory. The Eagles never trailed, built a double-digit margin in the first quarter and steadily extended the lead in every frame before closing out the 27-point win.
 
Reinhardt seized control almost immediately, racing out to a 9-0 lead behind early offense from I'ziah McCutchins and Emariah Grant. McCutchins drilled a 3-pointer to make it 7-0, and Grant followed with a layup for a 9-0 cushion. Spartanburg Methodist finally settled in and closed the gap to 20-14 by the end of the first quarter, but Grant's 3-pointer at the horn ensured the Eagles carried momentum into the second.
 
The Eagles tightened their defense in the second quarter and began to separate. Reinhardt held Spartanburg Methodist to just seven points in the frame while getting key contributions from the bench. Audrey Ekoue-Bla knocked down two free throws and added a 3-pointer as the Eagles' advantage grew. By halftime, Reinhardt led 36-21 after posting a 16-7 edge in the second quarter and controlling the glass.
 
Any hopes of a comeback were quickly quieted after the break. Spartanburg Methodist briefly cut into the deficit with early third-quarter scoring and offensive rebounding from Latavius Wilson, who converted inside to help make it 36-26. Reinhardt responded with another surge, highlighted by a McCutchins 3-pointer that pushed the margin back to 41-29. The Eagles' largest lead reached 27 points at the 8:00 mark of the third quarter, and they carried a 54-35 advantage into the fourth.
 
Reinhardt's depth and efficiency were decisive in the final numbers. The Eagles shot 48.4% from the field (31 of 64), including 9 of 27 from 3-point range (33.3%), and dominated the boards with a 50-38 rebounding advantage. Reinhardt's bench poured in 40 points, helping sustain the lead as the Eagles outscored Spartanburg Methodist 25-17 in the fourth quarter. A late 3-pointer by Kiara Simpson with 33 seconds remaining capped the scoring and matched Reinhardt's largest lead at 79-52.
 
McCutchins led the Reinhardt attack with 15 points, three 3-pointers, two rebounds and two assists, setting the tone from the perimeter. Simpson added eight points and two 3-pointers in just six minutes off the bench, providing another spark from long range. As a team, the Eagles shared the ball effectively, finishing with 18 assists on 31 made field goals and producing 38 points in the paint despite neither side recording any fastbreak points.
 
This win improves the Eagles record to 16-5 overall record and 13-1 in the conference. They are on 11-game winning streak and are looking to continue the momentum this Saturday when they face Bryan College at home!