Courtesy of Allen Athletics
78
Clark Atlanta
84
Winner Allen
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clark Atlanta | 22 | 11 | 23 | 22 | 78 |
| Allen | 13 | 23 | 15 | 33 | 84 |
In their regular season finale, the Allen University women’s basketball team defeated Clark Atlanta Wednesday, 84-78.
After facing an early first quarter deficit, 22-13, the Yellow Jackets responded with a strong second quarter. With 4:54 remaining in the first half, Morgan Smith connected on a layup to complete Allen’s comeback effort and give AU a 26-25 lead. Over the final five minutes of the half, the top two teams in the SIAC East Division standings continued to battle in a closely contested game, but it was the Yellow Jackets who were ahead at the halftime break, 36-33. In the third, Allen’s shots did not fall the same way as they did in the first two quarters with the Yellow Jackets shooting 38% compared to 47% in the first half. Entering the fourth, Clark Atlanta held a 56-51 lead. However, as they have throughout the season, when it mattered most Allen rose to the occasion. The Yellow Jackets had their highest scoring quarter of the night in the fourth with 33 points to CAU’s 22. With two minutes remaining, the game was tied 77-77. On Allen’s ensuing possession, guard Sadie Williams sank a critical three-point shot from the right side to put Allen in front, 80-77. Later with 22 seconds remaining, and Allen’s lead at just two points, senior guard Nari Coe made a pair of free throws to solidify the victory for the Yellow Jackets. To end the game, Peighton Jambor made two free-throws of her own to cap off the eighteenth win of the season for first-year head coach Olivia Gaines.
Senior guard Taliah Wesley led Allen in both scoring and rebounding with her eighth double-double of the season that included 28 points and 11 rebounds. Jambor added 13 points, followed by both Amoni Byrd and Morgan Smith each with 10 points. The duo of Williams and Coe combined for 18 points that included them shooting 8-9 at the free-throw line.
The Yellow Jackets end their regular season with the most single season wins (18) since transitioning to NCAA Division II in 2021. Allen will begin their postseason journey on Saturday, March 1 by hosting a first-round game in the SIAC Women’s Basketball Tournament. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. with the opponent still to be determined.
