Bristol,Tenn.- The King University women's basketball team delivered a dominant performance on Thursday evening, rolling to a 79–53 victory over Erskine College at the Student Center Complex. With the win, the Tornado improved to 10–11 overall and 7–7 in Conference Carolinas play, while the Flying Fleet dropped to 2–19 (1–14 CC). A crowd of 154 fans watched King put together one of its most balanced efforts of the season.
Game Flow
King wasted no time establishing control, racing out to a 21–9 lead after the first quarter behind efficient perimeter shooting and strong defensive pressure. The Tornado extended the margin in the second frame, taking a 37–17 advantage into halftime after holding Erskine to just eight points in the period.
The third quarter proved decisive. King erupted for 31 points — its highest-scoring quarter of the night — fueled by transition offense and hot shooting from deep. Erskine responded with a 21-point fourth quarter, but the Tornado's lead was far too large to overcome. King's early dominance and explosive third quarter sealed the 26-point home victory.
King Highlights
- Mary Elizabeth Fox delivered another standout performance, scoring 21 points on 7-of-12 shooting, including five three-pointers. She also grabbed 10 rebounds for a double-double and added four steals.
- Jaelyn West matched Fox's scoring punch with 20 points, hitting four threes and going a perfect 4-for-4 at the line.
- Ashley Allen provided efficient production with seven points on 3-of-3 shooting.
- Aliyah Hawkins orchestrated the offense with nine assists while adding five points and four rebounds.
- Riley Nelson and Samantha Lee each contributed seven points off the bench, while Riley Nelson also dominated the glass with 12 rebounds.
- King's depth once again shined, with the bench combining for 22 points.
- The Tornado controlled the boards with a 59–39 rebounding advantage and pushed the pace for 22 fast-break points.
As a team, King shot 36.3 percent from the field (29-of-80) and knocked down 13 three-pointers. Their defensive pressure produced 10 steals and limited Erskine to 31.3 percent shooting.
Erskine Effort
Erskine was led by
Albany Wilson, who poured in 26 points on 9-of-24 shooting and added five rebounds.
Jayla Dendy posted a strong interior performance with 10 rebounds and seven points, while
Ahrianna Scott chipped in nine points and eight boards.
Despite struggling from the perimeter (4-of-23 from three), the Flying Fleet found late offensive rhythm, scoring 21 points in the fourth quarter. However, their early shooting woes and King's rebounding dominance proved too much to overcome.
Key Stats
| Category |
King |
Erskine |
| Field Goal % |
36.3% |
31.3% |
| Three-Point % |
29.5% |
17.4% |
| Rebounds |
59 |
39 |
| Bench Points |
22 |
2 |
| Fast-Break Points |
22 |
10 |
| Points in the Paint |
30 |
26 |
| Points off Turnovers |
10 |
6 |
Conclusion
King's balanced scoring, relentless rebounding, and explosive third quarter powered the Tornado to their 10th win of the season. Fox and West led the offensive charge, while Hawkins and Nelson provided key support on both ends. The victory keeps King firmly in the hunt in Conference Carolinas play as the regular season winds down.
Next Game
King returns to action on
Saturday, February 14, hosting
Francis Marion University at 2:00 p.m. ET at the Student Center Complex.
