Basketball Recap: Kayden Bean Key Part of a Team Effort in Spartans Win

There's no place like home for Alexander, who bounced back after a loss on the road last Tuesday. They came out on top against the Athens Bulldogs by a score of 56-49 on Thursday. This was a revenge game for the Spartans: when they faced off against the Bulldogs back in December of 2024, they had to take a 49-37 loss.

Alexander's victory was a true team effort, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Kayden Bean, who made all 6 shots she took from beyond the arc for 18 points and seven boards. The dominant performance gave Bean a new career-high in points. Lily Ryder was another key player, putting up 20 points and six rebounds.

Alexander smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 11 offensive boards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least ten offensive rebounds in three consecutive matches.

Athens' loss came despite strong showings from Asa Holcombe and Alexis Koopal. Holcombe went 10 of 17 en route to 20 points and three steals, while Koopal posted ten points in addition to six boards and five steals. Holcombe is on a roll when it comes to steals, as she's now grabbed two or more in the last five games she's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Brystol Stump, who scored seven points and five rebounds.

Alexander pushed their record up to 11-7 with the win, which was their third straight at home. The wins came thanks to their offensive performance across that stretch, as they averaged 54.7 points per game. As for Athens, with the defeat, they broke their three-game winning streak and moved their record to 14-4.

Alexander wasted no time getting back out on the court and has already played their next contest, a 52-39 victory against Nelsonville-York on the 3rd. Athens has also already played their next game, a 58-36 win against Logan on the 1st.