Box Score COLUMBIA, S.C.- The Savannah State University women's basketball team shook off  Saturday's one point loss to Edward Waters University with a big win as they broke open a close game with a big run to start the second half and went on to defeat Allen University 64-49, in a game played January 29, 2024 in John Hurst Adams Gymnasium.
 
Savannah State held a slim 26-25 lead at intermission but started the third quarter with a 14-2 surge to open up a 40-27 lead with just over three minutes remaining in the quarter.
 
The Lady Tigers opened the second half with a 3-pointer from Mya Byrd followed by a free throw from Nyla Allen and a layup by Jashiyah Jones. After a basket by Allen's Zion Duncan, SSU responded with a layup and a free throw by Ta'Quasia Lampkin, a layup by Amari Heard, two free throws by Byrd and a free throw by Ja'Siiyah Holmes.
 
With 48 seconds left in the quarter, Allen was able to cut their deficit to nine but SSU entered the fourth quarter holding a 46-36 advantage.
 
The Yellow Jackets began the final quarter of play with a pair of free throws to get within eight but Savannah State answered with 11 straight points to put the contest out of reach.
 
Lampkin started the run with a jumper which was followed by a 3-pointer by Byrd and three consecutive jumpers by Heard which gave SSU their largest lead of the night (57-38) with 3:53 remaining.
 
Allen never got any closer than 15 the remainder of the game.
 
The win gives SSU a 12-4 overall mark and a 9-3 record in conference play.
 
Allen led 10-9 at the end of the first quarter and held a 22-16 lead with 4:44 left in the second quarter before the Lady Tigers used a 7-1 spurt to tie the game at 23 with just under two minutes showing on the clock.
 
The game was knotted at 25 with 49 seconds left but Heard broke the tie with a free throw with 23 seconds remaining for the final points of the first half.
 
Savannah State finished the game with 21 points off of 22 Allen turnovers, out-rebounded the Yellow Jackets 42 to 36 and had 16 steals.
 
Heard had a double-double for Savannah State with 12 points and 13 rebounds. She also had four steals.
 
Byrd scored 18 points for SSU while Allen had 12 points and five steals. Lampkin had 11 points and eight rebounds while Jones had six points. Jacquece Alston and Jasmine Wills added two points each and Holmes had one point.
 
Kash Hankerson had a game-high 20 points for Allen (5-11, 2-9 SIAC).
 
Savannah State will wrap up their three-game road trip by visiting Benedict College on January 31 at 5:30 p.m.