BRISTOL, Tenn. – The King University men's basketball team was tested out of the gate as they hosted Conference Carolinas preseason favorite Emmanuel College in their season-opener. The Tornado stayed with the Lions, but fell short in the end, 84-81.
THE BASICS
FINAL: Emmanuel 84, King 81
LOCATION: Student Center Complex; Bristol, Tenn.
RECORDS: King 0-1, 0-1 Conference Carolinas; Emmanuel 3-3, 1-0 Conference Carolinas
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
- Back-to-back three-point baskets from Damion Ottman and Josh Releford gave King an early 8-4 advantage.
- Brandon Lamberth started a 9-0 run with a pair of free throws.
- J'Son Brooks capped the run with a triple and two free throws, giving King a 21-13 lead six minutes into the contest.
- Emmanuel worked their way back and took a 24-22 lead following a 9-0 spurt of their own before Lamberth made a pair of free throws.
- The Lions tried to pull away down the stretch, taking a 43-39 lead at halftime.
Second Half
- The Tornado came out in the second half and evened the score at 46 in the second half following and MJ Foust steal and jumper in the paint.
- However, the Lions quickly responded with a pair of baskets to extend their lead.
- It appeared as Emmanuel was going to pull away as they opened up an 80-68 advantage with six minutes remaining.
- The Tornado had one more run in them, started by back-to-back baskets Releford and Ottman.
- In all, King went on a 13-1 run, evening the score at 81 following a Michael Mays jump shot in the paint with 1:57 remaining.
- The contest was then decided at the free throw line as the Lions made three free throws down the stretch to take the contest 84-81.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Lamberth led four Tornado scorers in double figures with 15 points and added seven rebounds.
- Ottman added 14 points and 11 rebounds.
- Mays contributed 13 points and Foust chipped in with 11 points.
FOR THE FOES
- Kelvin Jones led Emmanuel with 31 points, going 13-for-16 from the free throw line.
- Tyonn Stuckey and Jayvion Rucker added 14 points apiece.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- The double-double for Ottman is his first of the season.
UP NEXT
- King returns to the court on Friday when they travel to Bluefield State College for a 6:00 p.m. tipoff.
- Emmanuel is in action again on Tuesday when they host Erskine College.
