GALLATIN, Tenn. – The Southeastern Baptist College (SBC) Women's Basketball team traveled to Welch College on January 31, 2025, to take on Grace Christian University in their first meeting of the season. In a game marked by momentum shifts and strong defensive play, the Chargers emerged victorious with a 62-55 win over the Tigers.
The Tigers came out firing, opening the game with a 10-0 run that included two banked-in three-pointers. Sierra Fonesca got things started with the first basket of the contest. The Chargers finally got on the board at the 5:15 mark of the first quarter when Mckenzie McGuirt knocked down a jumper to cut the deficit to eight points. However, the Tigers quickly responded with another score, extending their lead to 14-2.
SBC then found their rhythm, sparked by a three-pointer from Sarahia Hurd, which ignited an 8-0 run to close the first quarter. At the end of the period, the Tigers led 14-10.
The second quarter saw both teams trading baskets until the 5:46 mark, when the Chargers tied the game at 17-17. From there, SBC took control, finishing the quarter on a 9-2 run and heading into halftime with a 26-19 lead. The Chargers' defense was a major factor in the second period, allowing only five points from the Tigers.
At the break, four Chargers had contributed to the scoring effort, led by McGuirt with 12 points and Hurd with seven points and five assists. Jakyiah Ashford added five points, while Sanaa Holmes chipped in two. Sydney Coward, though scoreless in the first half, controlled the boards with seven rebounds.
SBC continued their strong play in the third quarter, extending their lead to as many as 17 points at the 4:55 mark, holding a 40-23 advantage. Hurd and McGuirt led the way offensively, and by the end of the period, all but one Charger who entered the game had scored. SBC held a 42-30 lead heading into the final quarter.
Grace Christian made a push in the fourth, cutting the lead to just three points with 6:40 remaining. However, the Chargers responded in dominant fashion, going on a decisive 14-4 run over the next three minutes to push the lead back to double digits at 58-45 with 3:22 left to play. Despite the Tigers' continued fight, SBC held firm, securing the 62-55 victory.
McGuirt led all scorers with 23 points and added seven rebounds, while Hurd turned in an all-around performance with 17 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Coward had a career night on the boards, pulling down 10 rebounds and contributing five points. Breyonce' Jim provided a crucial spark off the bench, finishing with seven points, four rebounds, and four steals. Ashford also had a career-high eight points in the win.
Next Up for the Chargers:
The Chargers hit the road again for a challenging match-up against the NCCAA DII South Region's top-ranked Pensacola Christian College Eagles on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. Fans can watch the game live at Pensacola Christian College YouTube Channel.
SBC will then return home for two straight games at the P.M. Cochran Center:
· Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. vs. NAIA Arkansas Baptist
· Saturday, February 8, 2025, against NCCAA DII South Region #5 Toccoa Falls College Screaming Eagles.
Stay tuned for more updates and coverage of Chargers basketball!
