Box Score HARROGATE, Tenn. – The King University men's basketball team took the court again, their second game in less than 24 hours. This time, the Tornado faced off against #23 Lincoln Memorial University. King led at half time but a second half surge from the Railsplitters handed King their first loss of the early season, 70-63.
The game began with both teams starting slow, the first point coming over a minute into the game. Drew Standifer got King on the board, making the score Lincoln Memorial 3, King 2 just over two minutes into the game. The Tornado took a 10-6 lead after James Scales hit a jump shot followed by C.J. Good and Logan Lyle three pointers.
Scales hit another three pointer with 13 minutes left in the first half giving King a 13-6 lead. Luquon Choice went right down and answered with a three pointer of his own cutting the Tornado lead back to four. King led 19-11 before the Railsplitters went on a 14-0 run making the score 25-19. Calvin Walker hit a three pointer to end the LMU run and bring King within three points. The Tornado went on a little run of their own bringing the game into half time leading the Railsplitters 32-28. King shot 42.9 percent from the field and held Lincoln Memorial to 37.9 percent.
The second half began with the scoring going back and forth between the Tornado and Railsplitters. With 14 minutes left in regulation, Mikquell Jackson hit a three pointer giving King a 46-42 advantage. Lorenza Ross answered immediately cutting the four point lead in half. King would continue to hit shots but Lincoln Memorial continued to answer. At the eight minute mark, Lincoln Memorial went on a seven to zero run bringing the score to 60-53. King continued to battle but the Railsplitters were able to hold a comeback away from the Tornado.
The Tornado fell to Lincoln Memorial 70-63 in a hard fought battle. Lyle led the Tornado scorers after going 4-12 from the field and tallying 16 points. Scales added 13 points while Mack Owens led King in rebounds with six.
King will be in action next on Wednesday, November 19 when they will host North Greenville University at 7:30 pm in the Student Center.
