Central, S.C. – Behind another standout outing from
Aliyah Hawkins and a barrage of three-pointers, King controlled the game from the opening tip and never allowed Southern Wesleyan to gain sustained momentum. The Tornado knocked down 14 threes, dominated the glass, and used a balanced scoring effort to secure their second straight conference victory.
Game Flow
King wasted no time asserting itself, racing out to a 21–9 lead after the first quarter behind hot perimeter shooting and disciplined half-court defense. The Tornado cooled slightly in the second, but still carried a 34–23 advantage into halftime.
Southern Wesleyan made its strongest push in the third quarter, scoring 24 points and briefly trimming the deficit to single digits. King responded with timely threes from Hawkins, Ellington, and West to maintain control, entering the fourth with a 52–47 lead.
The Tornado slammed the door in the final period. A 20-11 fourth-quarter surge — fueled by defensive stops and efficient free-throw shooting — put the game out of reach as King closed out the 14-point road win.
King Highlights
- Aliyah Hawkins delivered another elite all-around performance, posting 20 points on 5-of-10 shooting, hitting four threes, grabbing 11 rebounds, and dishing out eight assists. She added a steal and played all 40 minutes, once again setting the tone on both ends.
- Le'Aije Ellington continued her efficient scoring stretch with 15 points on 5-of-7 shooting, including three made threes. She added five rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
- Jaelyn West provided a steady two-way presence, finishing with 12 points, seven rebounds, and two steals while knocking down three triples.
- Ashley Allen remained perfect from the field for the second straight game, going 2-for-2 and contributing five rebounds and three steals.
- Samantha Lee gave King a major boost off the bench, scoring 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting and hitting three threes.
- Emma Larios added eight points and three rebounds, while Raven Addison chipped in two points and a rebound.
King shot 43.4 percent from the field and 36.8 percent from three, outrebounded SWU 38–37, and committed just 13 turnovers. The Tornado also recorded 19 assists on 23 made field goals, showcasing excellent ball movement.
Southern Wesleyan Effort
Southern Wesleyan was led by
Savanna Nicholson, who scored 17 points and hit three threes.
Danielle Earley added nine points and eight rebounds, while
Makayla Raines and
Peyton Looky each contributed eight.
The Warriors shot just 30.6 percent from the field and 16.1 percent from deep, struggling to match King's perimeter efficiency despite a strong third-quarter push.
Key Stats
- Rebounds: King 38, Southern Wesleyan 37
- Points in the Paint: SWU 26, King 14
- Points off Turnovers: SWU 14, King 10
- Second-Chance Points: SWU 9, King 3
- Bench Points: King 19, SWU 9
- Three-Pointers: King 14, SWU 5
Conclusion
King's combination of perimeter shooting, rebounding, and veteran leadership powered the Tornado to a convincing conference road win. Hawkins' near triple-double and the team's 14 made threes highlighted a performance that showcased both depth and discipline. With back-to-back victories, King continues to build momentum as the heart of conference play approaches.
Next Game
King returns to the Student Center Complex on Wednesday, January 14, hosting Lees-McRae at 5:30 p.m. ET.
