Bristol, Tenn. – King University women's basketball earned a decisive home victory on Tuesday afternoon, defeating Converse 82–51 at the Student Center Complex. The Tornado improved to 4–4 overall and 2–1 in Conference Carolinas play, while Converse dropped to 0–10 (0–5 Conference Carolinas).
Game Flow
Converse opened strong, taking a 17–15 lead after the first quarter behind Mazie Helpman's scoring. King responded in the second quarter, outscoring the Valkyries 18–11 to carry a 33–28 advantage into halftime. The Tornado extended their lead in the third with a 20–12 run, then sealed the win with a dominant 29–11 fourth quarter, pulling away for the 31-point victory.
King Highlights
- Jaelyn West led the Tornado with a double-double, scoring 17 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, while adding three steals.
- Alayna Smith was efficient inside, posting 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting and pulling down nine rebounds.
- Ashley Allen contributed 10 points and seven rebounds, providing steady play on both ends.
- Aliyah Hawkins dished out six assists to go with five points, orchestrating King's offense.
- Le'Aije Ellington added eight rebounds and five points, while Samantha Lee gave the Tornado a spark off the bench with nine points.
- King's reserves combined for 33 points, highlighted by Kamiyah Love (8 points, 2 steals) and Raven Addison (8 points).
As a team, King shot 46.2 percent from the field (30-of-65), 25 percent from three-point range (7-of-28), and 62.5 percent from the free-throw line (15-of-24). The Tornado dominated the glass with a 53–32 rebounding edge and forced 12 turnovers, converting them into 14 points.
Key Stats
- Rebounds: King 53, Converse 32
- Second-Chance Points: King 15, Converse 10
- Points in the Paint: King 44, Converse 20
- Points off Turnovers: King 14, Converse 11
- Bench Points: King 33, Converse 8
Conclusion
King's depth and balanced scoring proved decisive, as the Tornado pulled away late to secure their second conference win of the season. West and Smith anchored the effort with strong performances inside, while the bench provided a major boost.
Next Game
The Tornado will return to action on
Thursday, December 18, hosting Livingston at the Student Center Complex. Tip-off is scheduled for
5:30 p.m. ET.
