Atlantis University Women's Basketball Season Opener Recap: A Hard-Fought Battle in Tampa

After a five-hour bus ride from Miami, the teams arrived later than scheduled, reaching the gym at approximately 4:15 PM—just minutes after their scheduled tip-off at 4:00 PM for the women's game. With little time to warm up, the Atlanteans quickly fell behind as the Tigers took an early lead, pushing the score to an 11-point gap. However, the AU team rallied toward the end of the first quarter, narrowing the score to 16-10. In the second quarter, Coach Venisha Lee's players found their rhythm, cutting the deficit to three points at one stage. Despite their efforts, they entered halftime trailing by seven, with the Tigers leading 33-26. The second half saw Trinity College emerge revitalized and extend their lead.

The prolonged travel and limited pre-game preparation began to take a toll on the AU players. Although they fought hard, fatigue became a factor. Trinity College ultimately pulled away, concluding the game with a score of 85-62. For AU, standout performances included Chayce Wright (4), who demonstrated impressive shooting accuracy with six three-pointers and three field goals, totaling a team-high 24 points.

 Carmen McDaniel contributed 11 points, while Desiree Johnson played a key role as point guard, showcasing her playmaking skills and game management. Although the team's result was not what it had hoped for, its debut was promising under Coach Venisha Lee's leadership. This opening game highlighted the team's potential and resilience. AU fans can expect an exciting season as the team builds on this experience.