Columbia, SC. - The Allen University men's basketball team capped off the 2025 calendar year with a much-needed momentum win, taking down Spring Hill College 90–80 at home on Friday night.
Head Coach Douglas Whittler's Christmas presents arrived early in the form of two new additions who wasted no time making their presence felt—and may have just sparked a second-half turnaround.
Christopher McKnight, a junior guard from Memphis, delivered a game-high 20 points off the bench, drilling 4 three-pointers and injecting instant offense into a squad that has struggled at times to stretch the floor.
Tavaris Bell, appearing in just his second game of the season, looked like a veteran spark—scoring 17 points, grabbing 3 rebounds, and wreaking havoc defensively with a game-high 7 steals.
Shadale Knight added 15 points on a perfect 10-for-13 showing from the free-throw line, and Jordahn Johnson controlled the boards with 7 rebounds and 11 points of his own.
After clinging to a 37–36 lead at halftime, the Yellow Jackets erupted for 53 second-half points, shooting an efficient 58.3% from the field and closing the door with a balanced offensive attack.
With the win, Allen improves to 2–8 overall and 1–7 in SIAC play—numbers that don't tell the full story. With new additions bringing needed firepower and several key players getting back to full strength, this team is primed for a potential second-half surge in the SIAC East Division.
Expect a different Allen squad to take the floor in 2026. The tide may be turning.
Happy Holidays from the Hive. The Jackets will be back in action after the break with fresh legs and renewed confidence.
