BRISTOL, Tenn. – Following a pair of road games last week, the King University women's basketball team returned to the friendly confines of the Student Center Complex to open Conference Carolinas play in a see-saw affair with North Greenville University. The Crusaders closed the first half on a run to take an 11 point lead, but the Tornado came back to start the second half and pulled away late, taking the contest 76-69.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: King 76, North Greenville 69
LOCATION: Student Center Complex; Bristol, Tenn.
RECORDS: King 3-2, 1-0 Conference Carolinas; North Greenville 2-3, 0-1 Conference Carolinas

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Tornado went on an 8-0 run, taking an 8-2 advantage midway through the first quarter. The spurt was capped by a Madison Davis layup.
• Davis followed with a pair of triples, but the Crusaders chipped away over the final five minutes of the quarter.
• North Greenville scored the last basket of the quarter to make the score after one 18-17 in favor of the Tornado.
• The teams went back-and-forth over the first five minutes of the second quarter and Ashley Albertson evened the score at 28-28 with an old fashioned three-point play with 4:15 remaining in the half.
• However, the Crusaders closed the half on a 12-1 run, including nine straight to hold a 40-29 lead at halftime.
• Out of the break, King went on a run with Sheena Johnson opening the scoring with her first triple of the contest.
• In the all, King went on a 16-2 run, taking a 45-42 lead midway through the third stanza. Johnson added another triple on the run and King went 8-for-10 from the free throw on the spurt.
• The teams then traded baskets, and Kori West gave King a 51-50 advantage going to the fourth quarter with a free throw.
• The Crusaders held the advantage early in the fourth quarter, opening up a 61-56 lead following a Jessica Garlington triple with 5:42 remaining.
• However, the Tornado had an answer with Whitney Mitchell starting a 11-0 run with a fasbreak layup.
• Jalan Harper evened the score for the 11th time with a free throw and Mitchell hit a jump shot to put King ahead 63-61.
• Cameron Carter hit a three-point basket with 46 seconds to cut the Crusader deficit to 72-69, but the Tornado iced the game at the foul line.
• King scored their final five points from the free throw line, taking the contest 76-69.
• Johnson led four King scorers in double figures with 18 points, going 8-for-9 from the free throw line.
• Harper followed with 15 points and nine rebounds, and Mitchell added 14 points and five rebounds.
• Davis chipped in with 10 points and five rebounds.

FOR THE FOES

• Carter led the Crusaders with 24 points and nine rebounds.
• Karen Donehew posted 12 points and a game-high 14 rebounds.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• King opens Conference Carolinas play with a win for the second straight season. The Tornado defeated Barton College 72-61 at home last season.

UP NEXT

• King returns to action on Tuesday when they travel to Erskine College. Tipoff from Due West, S.C. is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
• North Greenville hosts No. 14 Limestone College on Tuesday night.