SAVANNAH, Ga.- Savannah State used a big run in the third quarter to break open a close game and then held off a pesky Allen squad in a 62-56 win over the Yellow Jackets, in a game played on February 5, 2024 in Tiger Arena.
 
Down 33-31 with 7:14 remaining in the third quarter, Savannah State scored 14 unanswered points to take a 45-33 lead with less than two minutes left in the quarter.
 
SSU went into the fourth quarter leading 45-36.
 
Ahead by nine early in the fourth quarter, the Lady Tigers had a 6-0 mini-run to increase their advantage to 53-38 for their largest lead of the game with 7:35 left.
 
Allen answered SSU with a 11-2 spurt that got them within five with a minute and a half left. However, Savannah State received a jumper from Nyla Allen and a layup from Aniaya Donaldson to go ahead 62-53 with 35 seconds left to put the game out of reach.
 
The win improves the Lady Tigers to 15-4 overall and 12-3 in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
 
The victory also gives SSU the season sweep over Allen. Savannah State defeated the Yellow Jackets 64-49 on January 29 in Columbia, South Carolina.
 
Nyla Allen paced the Lady Tigers with 17 points and six rebounds. Amari Heard came off the bench to contribute 16 points, four rebounds and three steals while Ta'Quasia Lampkin had 10 points, seven steals and six rebounds.
 
The Yellow Jackets scored the first four points of the game but SSU rallied back with a 15-2 run to go ahead 15-6 with just under four minutes left.
 
Allen responded with a 10-0 run to cut SSU's lead to 17-16 with 1:05 remaining but Nyla Allen nailed a 3-pointer with 28 seconds on the clock to send Savannah State into the second quarter with a 20-16 advantage.
 
Nyla Allen started the second quarter with a 3-pointer to give SSU a seven point lead before Allen was able to tie the game at 25 with 2:15 remaining.
 
The game was tied again at 29 but a layup by Heard with 14 seconds remaining sent the Lady Tigers into intermission ahead 31-29.
 
SSU had 20 points off of 26 Allen turnovers and also had 14 fast break points.
 
Mya Byrd had nine points, six rebounds and five assists for Savannah State while Amani Hamilton added six points and Donaldson scored four.
 
The Yellow Jackets (6-13, 3-11 SIAC) were led by Zion Duncan's 16 points.
 
Savannah State will host Miles on February 7, 2024 at Tiger Arena at 5:30 p.m.
 
SSU received one vote in the latest D2CSC Women's Basketball Division II South Region Media Poll while Miles was tied for sixth