Knights Battle Hard but Fall to Columbia in Conference Opener, 74-99
Columbia, SC – The St. Andrews Knights opened their conference season on the road with a tough challenge against the Columbia University (SC) team. Despite a spirited effort, the Knights fell to Columbia 74-99 in a high-paced contest that saw both teams trading baskets for much of the game.
Knights' Strong Effort
The St. Andrews Knights had several standout performances, with senior Londaisha Smith leading the charge. Playing the full 40 minutes, Smith finished with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 assists, showcasing her all-around game. She was a force at the free-throw line, knocking down 8 of 13 attempts, a crucial part of keeping the Knights in the game.
Another strong contributor was sophomore Ashley Starks, who also had 13 points, including 4-of-10 shooting from beyond the arc. Starks' long-range shooting was one of the few bright spots for St. Andrews, as the team finished the game shooting just 30.8% from 3-point range.
Jada Richardson added 5 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists in just 22 minutes of action, while Katie Moore finished with 13 points and 5 rebounds. Jamicia Davis chipped in with 9 points and 6 rebounds in 27 minutes, contributing solid play in the post and on the boards.
Despite a decent shooting performance, the Knights' inability to capitalize on free-throw opportunities hurt them in the end. St. Andrews made just 14 of 22 attempts from the charity stripe, giving Columbia a chance to extend their lead.
The Columbia squad was led by a pair of strong performances from Keyshuna Fair and Anaya Muhammad. Fair was electric from the field, finishing with 22 points. Muhammad added 16 points, providing a solid scoring presence throughout the game.
St. Andrews struggled to contain the sharp shooting of Columbia, particularly from long range. Though the Knights kept the score close early on, Columbia's 12 three-pointers allowed them to stretch out their lead in the second half. Freshman Makayla Street also made her presence felt, contributing 14 points and 7 rebounds in just 17 minutes off the bench.
The game's momentum started to shift in the second half as Columbia ramped up their pressure and broke away with a series of fast breaks and efficient scoring. Despite a valiant effort from St. Andrews, the Knights couldn't overcome Columbia's offensive explosion.
Bright Spots for St. Andrews
While the final scoreline wasn't what St. Andrews had hoped for, there were a number of positive takeaways from the game. The Knights showed resilience, particularly in the first half, and will look to build on their solid individual performances moving forward in the conference season. With key players like Smith, Starks, and Moore capable of leading the offense, St. Andrews will aim to tighten up their defense and ball security in future matchups.
Looking Ahead
The Knights now shift their focus to the next game in their conference schedule. With a mix of veteran leadership and young talent, they look to bounce back and make a push in the conference standings.
St. Andrews will return to action on November 20th as they face Union Commonwealth at home, seeking to regroup after this tough opening game.