Emmanuel Athletics
Kethan Darbar, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
BRISTOL, Tenn. – The Lady Lions traveled to King University for their first conference match of the season. The Lions were victorious over the Tornados 88-78. The Lions won the tip-off to start the game, which led to Brooke Whitaker being sent to the free-throw line to score the Lions first basket. Within the first four minutes of the game the Lions had a 10-3 lead over the Tornados. At the start of the second quarter, the Lady Lions were in the lead 25-16. With a three-pointer and a few mid-range jumpers, the Tornados were determined to fight back. A layup by Tornado guard, Jada Owens, sent them to a 30-29 lead over the Lions with five minutes to go in the second quarter.
Both teams continued to battle in the second quarter resulting in several lead changes. A deep three-pointer at the buzzer by Tornado point guard, Ali Golden, closed the gap to just 2 points with the Lions in the lead 40-38 at halftime.
The Lions got off to a rough start at the beginning of the third quarter allowing the Tornados to lead the Lions by 6 points. Determined to not give up, the Lions post player, Jazmin Allen, had 4 points, 3 rebounds, and an assist to put the Lions back in the lead 57-56 with two minutes to go in the third quarter. From there the Lions would not allow the Tornados to take the lead again.
After the final lead change, the Lions starting center, Breanna Locke, went on a 14 points streak to increase the gap by 10 points. The final score of the match between the Emmanuel College Lady Lions and the King University Tornados was 88-78.
Overall, the Lady Lions were 50% from the three-point line and 52.1% from the field, in comparison to the Tornados 35.5% from the three-point line and 42.6% from the field. Breanna Locke led the Lions with 30 points and 16 rebounds. Not far behind her was Jazmin Allen with 24 points and 13 rebounds. The Tornados lead scorer was Ali Golden with 20 points. The Lions will battle back to back against Converse College in Spartanburg, South Carolina on Friday, January 15 at 5 p.m, and Saturday, January 16 at 2 p.m.