COLUMBIA, S.C. - the Allen University Women's Basketball team fell 72-62 at home Saturday afternoon to rival Benedict College from a sold out and loud, enthusiastic Adams Gym crowd.
Allen got off toa 9-3 lead early in the first quarter before BC rallied and ended the quarter on a 12-3 run to take a 15-12 lead. A competitive second quarter would see the Lady Tigers take just a slim 27-26 lead into the break as AU ended the half on an 8-2 run to climb back into the game.
In the third quarter, BC would come out going on a 17-8 run to take a 44-34 lead five minutes into the half. Allen, however, would not be deterred and went on one of their own runs (15-3) to end the quarter with a 49-47 lead. AU outscored the Tigers 23-20 in the third period.
The Ladies would then take their largest lead of the second half on a
Jazeem Bethea layup early in the fourth to lead 51-47 before BC rallied going on a 13-4 run over the next 4 and a half minutes to take a 60-55 advantage with 5 minutes to play. Bethea's three got Allen to within two points at the 4:10 mark of the fourth but that would be as close as the Jackets would get as BC closed the game out on a finishing 12-4 run to grab the win. Benedict outscored Allen 25-13 in the fourth.
BC shot 35 percent overall and made 11 threes while Allen shot nearly 34%, but only managed to shoot 3 of 28 (10.7%) from three-point range and less than 50% from the free-throw line.
Junior guard
Destinee Jamison-Whitfield led the Yellow Jackets with a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds with 5 steals and 2 assists in the tough loss while fellow junior shooting guard
Keyshuna Fair also finished in double-figure scoring with 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists.
Senior forward
Cardrina Nolen scored 8 pints with 3 rebounds while junior wing
Jaida Reddin led with 5 steals and added 6 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists. Junior guard
Kayla Pope led the team with four assists while senior guard
Jazeem Bethea contributed 7 points with 4 rebounds, an assist, and 2 steals.
The Allen Ladies fall to 9-7 overall and 5-6 in the SIAC East while Benedict improves to 6-11 and 4-7 in conference. The Yellow Jackets will next be in action on Monday evening at 5:30 pm when they play at Savannah State.
Follow Allen women's basketball on Twitter, @AllenU_WBB, for the latest news and updates.
