FRANKLIN SPRINGS, GA - The women's basketball team hosted the Chowan University Hawks on Thursday night. The Lions defeated the Hawks, 82-81, moving their record to 4-11 (4-8 CC).
The Lions never trailed the entire game, scoring the first five points and refusing to look back. They raced to an explosive first quarter in which they put up 28 points, a dozen of them coming from junior Jazmin Allen. Junior Jeanetta Elder was also a huge factor, scoring 9 points and recording timely offensive rebounds. By the end of the first ten minutes the Lions led the Hawks by 14 points, 28-14.
The Hawks outscored the Lions in the second quarter as they put up 20, versus 15 for Emmanuel. The Lions continued to be productive on offensive, but weren't nearly as effective as in their first quarter. Allen added 7 more points, reaching 19 by halftime as the junior dominated the paint and added a three pointer. The Hawks trailed by 21 with five minutes to go until the break. However, a dominant run of 13 consecutive points got them back within single digits. The Lions eventually took a 9 point lead into halftime, 43-34.
Emmanuel got off to a good start in the third quarter, regaining their largest lead of the night (21) with just under four minutes remaining. However, another explosion of offense from the Hawks, combined with several forced turnovers, saw them pull back within five points by the end of the quarter, 67-62. The key factor in Chowan's comeback was their full court press, which the Lions struggled against. It contributed largely to the third quarter run and made it difficult for the Lions to score in the fourth. The Hawks continued to bring pressure on every possession and succeeded in forcing a plethora of turnovers. But timely three pointers in the final 10 minutes by seniors Lexie Sengkhammee and Allison Smith allowed Emmanuel to maintain the lead. The Hawks continued to do an incredible job of locking down the Lions in the back court without giving up fouls. With three minutes left, the Lions led by just a point, 78-77. A free throw by the Lions was the only point scored until the Hawks converted a layup to tie the score at 79 with 42 seconds remaining. After Sengkhammee got fouled and made 1 out of 2 from the line, Chowan quickly took it the other direction and scored. Then, trailing 80-81, Emmanuel got the ball to Sydney Wyatt. A clutch take by the sophomore gave the Lions a one point lead with 12 seconds left. Following a timeout by the Hawks, lockdown defense from the Lions kept Chowan from hitting a buzzer beater that would've given them the game. Instead it was the Lions who walked away victorious, 82-81.
Jazmin Allen set the pace for the Lions, tying her career high with 24 points and adding 11 rebounds. Jeanetta Elder followed with 17 points, tying her personal best for the fourth time. Elder also recorded the third double-double of her career with 11 rebounds.
Next up, women's basketball will face UNC Pembroke on the road at 2:00pm this Saturday, January 29.
For more on Emmanuel College athletics, visit goeclions.com.
