MARCH 8, 2008 --- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

Lady Pioneers Fall Short Of Nationals

Coach: Goals Will Be The Same Next Year  

SPARTANBURG, SC – Despite a strong effort, the Spartanburg Methodist College Lady Pioneers basketball team ended its bid for a trip to the National Junior College Athletic Association’s national women’s basketball tournament with a 70-62 loss to Georgia Perimeter College on Saturday. 

The Lady Pioneers ended their season with their best record ever (17-3, 21-11) and on their first-ever appearance in the District J championship game. 

“I knew to beat Georgia Perimeter we would have to have a great game. We would have to avoid turnovers and we would have to make great shots. But the big this is that we couldn’t be behind – if we were, it would be tough. And it was. It was just one of those tight games,” says head coach Ralph Patin. 

The Lady Pioneers spent the last few minutes of the game trying to keep up with the Georgia Perimeter offense. 

“They made plays. Every time that a play needed to be made, they made it. We got kind of tentative – and you can’t win games like that,” says Patin. 

“Wins and losses are one thing. But it’s never been about basketball. It’s about these girls. This year has been a cornerstone. It hurts, but I told them I love them and I’m tremendously proud of what they’ve accomplished this season. 

“Our girls wanted this game. Our goal was to make it to the nationals in Kansas - and our goal will be the same next year. This year was a cornerstone for the SMC women’s basketball program,” adds Patin. 

Spartanburg Methodist College has 14 intercollegiate teams that compete in Region X of the National Junior College Athletic Association, which includes colleges in the Carolinas, Virginia, and West Virginia.  

The College is in its 97th year of providing a quality education to students in a Christian environment. More than 90 percent of SMC graduates continue their education at other institutions of higher learning. 

For more information, contact men’s basketball coach Ralph Patin at (803) 309-5539. 

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