Box Score DUE WEST, S.C. – The King University women's basketball team took the court for the third time in the new year, this time against conference foe Erskine College. Looking to win five in a row, the Tornado came out with a will to win and got the job done, winning 66-54. Leading the way for King was Amy Van Deventer who set a new career-high with 20 points and Chelsea Bowling who registered 20 points as well.
King (9-4, 4-3 CC) started the game off slow but it was not long for the Tornado to get back on track looking to win their fifth game in a row. Van Deventer started the scoring off with a jumper to put the first points on the board but the Flying Fleet were quick to answer, knocking down a three pointer at the other end. The game went back and forth until Tia Keitt and Bowling hit back-to-back three pointers to bring the score to King 12, Erskine 7. Immediately after, Arnelle Collins and Jalan Harper both knocked down shots to bring the Tornado lead to 16-7.
However, Erskine (7-6, 5-2 CC) would not fade away as they answered with the next five points before Van Deventer hit again. At the under-five media timeout, King had a six point advantage, 25-19. With just over three minutes to play in the first half, Bowling, who has been lights out from the three point line, drilled another to give King a 30-24 lead. Van Deventer followed with another deuce lengthening the Tornado lead. At the half, King led 32-26.
To open the second half, King looked to put Erskine away but the Flying Fleet were first to score. Van Deventer and Bowling, with back-to-back shots yet again, gave King a nine point lead. With about 15 minutes to go in regulation, the Flying Fleet cut the Tornado lead to five but Bowling answered with another three, bringing the King lead back to eight. Harper followed with a basket to give King a 10 point advantage. With about 12 minutes on the clock, Erskine threatened to make a run again, but Van Deventer showed up once again, knocking down a basket, silencing the Flying Fleet's comeback. At the under-10 media timeout, King led 48-39.
King controlled the last ten minutes of the contest, cruising to their fifth victory in a row over Erskine 66-54. The Tornado was led by the strong scoring of Van Deventer and Bowling. Keitt added ten points, five rebounds and five assists. Harper led the team in rebounding with seven. As a team, King shot 42 percent while Erskine shot 40. King out-rebounded the Flying Fleet 39-38 in the game.
The Tornado will be back in action on Saturday at 2:00 pm when they will travel to North Greenville University to take on the Crusaders in a Conference Carolinas affair.
