Bristol, Tenn.- The King University women's basketball team closed out 2025 with a tough home loss, falling 79–53 to Lenoir-Rhyne University on Wednesday afternoon at the Student Center Complex. The Tornado dropped to 4–6 overall and 1–1 in Conference Carolinas play, while the Bears improved to 8–4 (4–2 SAC).
Game Flow
Lenoir-Rhyne came out firing, building a 28–15 lead after the opening quarter behind efficient shooting and early paint dominance. Both teams struggled offensively in the second period, combining for just 12 total points, but the Bears maintained a 34–21 advantage at halftime.
King attempted to chip away in the third quarter, but LR's physicality on the glass and steady scoring kept the Tornado at arm's length. The Bears sealed the game with a 26-point fourth quarter, stretching the margin to 26 in front of 145 fans.
King Effort
- Jaelyn West led King with 15 points, hitting three triples and pulling down seven rebounds.
- Aliyah Hawkins added six points, four assists, and two steals while playing a team-high 31 minutes.
- Ashley Allen, Le'Aije Ellington, and Kamiyah Love each scored six points, with Allen matching West for the team lead in rebounds (7).
- Samantha Lee contributed seven points off the bench, including a three-pointer.
King struggled to find rhythm offensively, shooting 29.7 percent from the floor and 22.6 percent from three. The Tornado were limited to just
four second-chance points and were out-rebounded 65–36.
Key Stats
| Category |
Lenoir-Rhyne |
King |
| Field Goal % |
36.6% |
29.7% |
| Three-Point % |
16.7% |
22.6% |
| Free Throw % |
66.7% |
44.4% |
| Points in the Paint |
42 |
20 |
| Second-Chance Points |
25 |
4 |
| Bench Points |
27 |
16 |
| Points off Turnovers |
19 |
12 |
Conclusion
Despite a competitive defensive effort at times, King could not overcome Lenoir-Rhyne's size, rebounding advantage, and consistent interior scoring. West's scoring and Hawkins' playmaking provided bright spots, but the Tornado will look to regroup as they turn the page to 2026.
Next Game
King will travel to Johnson City for an
exhibition matchup at ETSU on Friday, January 2 at 7:00 p.m. ET.
