Bristol, Tenn. – The King University women's basketball team earned its first win of the season in thrilling fashion Thursday night, outlasting Emory & Henry 76–70 in overtime at the Student Center Complex. The Tornado (1–3, 0–0 Conference Carolinas) leaned on clutch shooting and gritty defense to take down the Wasps (1–2, 0–0 SAC) in a back-and-forth battle that featured 14 lead changes and six ties.
First Half
King trailed 23–21 after a fast-paced first quarter but responded with a strong second frame, outscoring Emory & Henry 14–13 to enter halftime down just one.
Aliyah Hawkins and
Le'Aije Ellington led the charge, combining for 17 first-half points and hitting key three-pointers to keep the Tornado within striking distance.
Second Half
The Tornado took control in the third quarter, using a 15–10 run to grab a lead behind Hawkins' hot hand and
Samantha Lee's perimeter shooting.
Mary Elizabeth Fox anchored the defense and cleaned the glass, finishing with a game-high 12 rebounds and 10 points.
Emory & Henry rallied in the fourth, tying the game at 65 to force overtime. But King responded with poise, outscoring the Wasps 11–5 in the extra period thanks to clutch free throws and a late three-pointer from
Fallon Taylor.
Game Highlights
Final Score: King 76, Emory & Henry 70 (OT)
Score by Quarter: King 21–14–15–15–11 | Emory & Henry 23–13–10–19–5
King Leaders
- Aliyah Hawkins: 27 points, 6-of-8 from three, 4 rebounds, 2 steals
- Le'Aije Ellington: 15 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals
- Mary Elizabeth Fox: 10 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists
- Samantha Lee: 10 points, 4 rebounds
- Kamiyah Love: 8 points, 4 rebounds
King shot 34.2 percent from three-point range and forced 22 turnovers, converting them into 11 fast break points. The Tornado bench added 14 points and helped secure the win in crunch time.
Looking Ahead
With their first win under their belt, the Tornado will look to build momentum heading into the next stretch of non-conference play. Hawkins' breakout performance and Fox's steady leadership give King a strong foundation as they prepare for Conference Carolinas competition.
