BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – The King University men's basketball team dropped another tight contest to the start the season on Friday evening at Bluefield State College. The Tornado and Big Blue went blow-for-blow for most of the game until Bluefield State pulled away late to take the 94-87 victory.
THE BASICS
FINAL: Bluefield State 94, King 87
LOCATION: Ned Shott Gymnasium; Bluefield, W.VA.
RECORDS: King 0-2; Bluefield State 1-1
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
- Nearly the entire game was played within a three-point spread as there were nine ties and 16 lead changes in the contest.
- Bluefield State jumped out to a 7-2 lead before the Tornado came back and evened the score on a Michael Mays trifecta.
- King later opened up a 19-14 lead following a Josh Releford three-point basket, only to see the Big Blue come back.
- A Darron Howard triple gave the Tornado a 35-30 advantage with six minutes remaining in the half, but Bluefield State came back again.
- The Big Blue used a 7-2 run to take a lead and held a 45-44 lead at the break.
Second Half
- The teams continued to trade blows in the second half, but it seemed like the Tornado couldn't get even or take the lead.
- The King deficit was 75-74 following an MJ Foust free throw with five minutes remaining, but that was as close as the Tornado would get.
- Bluefield State stretched their lead to as many as nine points down the stretch to take the game 94-87.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Mays led the Tornado with 25 points while Releford followed with 22 points.
- Brandon Lamberth added eight points and 10 rebounds while MJ Foust chipped in with nine points and six rebounds.
FOR THE FOES
- Marquez Cooper and Taj-Maal Toney led five Bluefield State scorers in double figures with 20 points apiece.
- Brandon Anyanwu followed with 18 points while Alex Nunnally added 16 points and 17 rebounds.
- Desmond Freeman chipped in with 11 points.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Mays set a career-high with 25 points.
- Releford also set a career-high with 22 points. His previous best of 20 came November 18, 2019 against Lee University.
- Lamberth set a career-best with 10 rebounds.
UP NEXT
- King has a chance to come back tomorrow as they host Bluefield State at 4:00 p.m. in the Student Center Complex.
