COLUMBIA, S.C. --- The Allen University Women's Basketball team won their first game of the season, and their first under new head coach Olivia Gaines, Friday as the Yellow Jackets dominated cross-town foe Columbia International University, 96-43. 

Allen jumped out to an early 28-7 advantage after making 11-of-18 shots through the first 10 minutes and holding CIU to just one made basket in the opening quarter of play. The second quarter was nearly a carbon copy of success to the first as Allen outscored the Rams, 27-9, while once again sinking 11 shots. At the half, the Yellow Jackets were in front by 41 points, 55-16. 

Allen continued to build onto their lead in the third and fourth quarters as they finished the night with 39 points off turnovers, 16 second chance points, and 24 fast break points. It was a complete team effort as every available player checked into the game and helped total 54 bench points in the win. 

Freshman guard Morgan Smith was Allen's leading scorer with 18 points, followed by Taliah Wesley and Amoni Byrd who each posted a 14-point performance. For Byrd, her Allen debut saw the Brooklyn, New York native shoot a perfect five-for-five from the floor, including a pair of made shots from the perimeter. On the boards, JuJu Harrington recorded a team-high seven rebounds. Senior Nari Coe made sure to involve her teammates in their first game of the season as she tallied six assists in the win. 

The Yellow Jackets are back in action Tuesday, November 12, as they host Carolina University. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. inside John Hurst Adams Gymnasium.