A two-week break played to Allen’s women’s basketball team advantage. The Red Devils defeated Connors State College of Warner, Okla., 64-52, Tuesday at home.
With the layover between games, it was expected that the Lady Red Devils would come out a bit sluggish, and they did.
Offense was hard to come by in the first quarter. Neither team came out shooting the ball too well. The Lady Red Devils were able to keep the game close. The Lady Red Devils defense was locked in, forcing 19 turnovers in the first half and dominating off the boards, out-rebounding Connors State.
Still, the Lady Red Devils trailed Connors State 20-16 at the half.
After the halftime break, Allen found its rhythm, keyed by Tristian Martin coming off the bench to provide a big spark for the offense. Martin gave Allen quick points in the paint. Connors State sent the always-reliable Adjaratou Mbaya of ACC to the free-throw line four times in the third quarter, which proved to be a mistake on Connors State’s part. Mbaya made all four shots.
Momentum was swinging in Allen’s favor. A Hallie Reed three-pointer forcefully shifted momentum in the Lady Red Devils’ favor.
Skyler Evans hit a basket at the buzzer to top a great fourth quarter for Allen Community College. The Lady Red Devils led 41-36 at the end of the quarter.
Allen kept the momentum on its side in the fourth quarter, once again dominating the boards and taking advantage of second-chance shots to outscore Connors State 23-16 in the final 10 minutes.
In the Red Devils’ stellar second half, they shot 81% from the free-throw line, a big improvement from games earlier this season.
Naomi Smith led the Lady Red Devils with 19 points. Martin scored 14. Evans had 11 points. Mbaya had 12 points and finished the game 100% from the free-throw line.
The Lady Red Devils are now 3-6. The Lady Red Devils will compete in the Frank Phillips Classic this weekend in Borger, Texas.
On Friday, Allen takes on Life Prep Academy from Wichita. On Saturday, the Lady Red Devils play Casper College from Casper, Wyo.
