COLUMBIA, S.C. — Timing is everything, and and on the biggest stage of the season so far, the Allen University women's basketball team delivered exactly the kind of performance Head Coach Olivia Gaines envisioned.
In front of a passionate home crowd inside John Hurst Adams Gymnasium, the Lady Yellow Jackets overwhelmed Spring Hill College 95-41, advancing to the second round of the 2026 SIAC Women's Basketball Championship with one of their most complete and efficient outings of the year.
From the opening tip, Allen dictated pace, intensity, and rhythm. The Lady Yellow Jackets shot at a blistering clip from the perimeter, knocking down 13 three-pointers and connecting at an eye-popping 46.4% from beyond the arc — a postseason shooting display that electrified the Hive and set the tone for the night.
The offensive balance was undeniable.
At the center of it all was Jasmine Norman, who put on a shooting display that electrified the gymnasium. Norman poured in 19 points, knocking down 5-of-10 from three-point range, consistently stretching the defense and setting the offensive tone early. Her confidence from beyond the arc forced Spring Hill to extend defensively, opening driving lanes and interior opportunities for her teammates.
Peighton Jambor provided balance and control, finishing with 13 points and 8 rebounds, impacting the game on both ends of the floor. Her ability to score efficiently while crashing the glass helped Allen establish second-chance opportunities and maintain offensive pressure.
On the wing, Anissa Tuitt delivered an efficient and versatile performance with 11 points, 2 three-pointers, while also adding 7 rebounds. Tuitt's shot selection and floor spacing kept Allen's offense flowing.
Sophomore guard, Eboni Clay, added 10 points in an ultra-efficient outing, shooting 4-of-4 from the field and knocking down 2-of-2 from three-point range. Clay's composure and decision-making stabilized the offense and allowed Allen to operate smoothly in transition and half-court sets.
Destini Goodine provided a spark and energized the crowd with her play scoring 12 points, shooting 5-of-9 from the field and attacking the rim with purpose. Her presence complemented Allen's perimeter shooting and kept the defense guessing.
Jamicia Davis added 9 points and 7 rebounds, bringing physicality and effort on the boards, while Tanaja Kennedy contributed 9 points and 7 assists, orchestrating the offense and distributing the ball with poise.
Allen moved the ball with purpose, spacing the floor and finding open shooters in transition and in half-court sets. The Lady Yellow Jackets shared the basketball, attacked passing lanes defensively, and turned pressure into easy scoring opportunities.
Defensively, the Lady Yellow Jackets were equally suffocating. Allen limited Spring Hill to just 41 points, contesting shots, rotating sharply, and turning defense into offense. The energy fed off a home crowd that made its presence felt from the first quarter to the final buzzer.
With the win, Allen improves to 18–9 overall, matching last season's final record. However this time, the journey isn't finished. This team is still playing. Still climbing.
And perhaps most importantly — still believing.
Coach Gaines has steadily built a culture centered on preparation and accountability. Saturday's performance reflected that foundation, the execution was crisp, the confidence was visible, and the urgency was unmistakable.
The message has been sent.
Allen is advancing — and now the focus shifts to keeping momentum alive. One win at a time. One round at a time.
If this version of the Lady Yellow Jackets travels, then Atlanta, Georgia might just be the perfect stage to surprise anyone still questioning whether this team is for real.
Now it's simple.
Keep winning.
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ABOUT THE SOUTHERN INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE (SIAC)
The SIAC is a NCAA athletic conference consisting primarily of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with headquarters in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. The SIAC includes 15 member institutions (Albany State University, Allen University, Benedict College, Central State University, Clark Atlanta University, Edward Waters University, Fort Valley State University, Kentucky State University, Lane College, LeMoyne-Owen College, Miles College, Morehouse College, Savannah State University, Spring Hill College, and Tuskegee University), which are located within a contiguous seven-state footprint (Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee and Ohio). The SIAC sponsors nine men's and seven women's sports and is a proud member of the NCAA Division II. For more information, visit www.thesiac.com.