BRISTOL, Tenn. – The King University women's basketball team earned their first win of the season as they defeated Bluefield State College on Saturday afternoon. The Tornado received a career-day from
Trinity Lee and had five scorers in double figures in the 79-68 victory.
THE BASICS
FINAL: King 79, Bluefield State 68
LOCATION: Student Center Complex; Bristol, Tenn.
RECORDS: King 1-1; Bluefield State 0-5
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Period
- King opened up a 14-9 lead seven minutes into the contest before closing the first period on a run.
- The Tornado scored the final 10 points of the period, started by a Caroline Harville jump shot in the paint.
- Brianna Dunbar closed the period with a pair of free throws, giving King a 24-9 advantage.
Second Period
- Dunbar then opened the second period with a triple, extending the Tornado lead to 27-9 before Bluefield State ended the run with a three-point basket.
- A Harville free throw gave King their largest lead of the game at 37-14 with seven minutes remaining until halftime.
- In the final seven minutes, the Big Blue outscored King 20-8, cutting into the deficit.
- Trinity Lee closed the half with a free throw to give King a 45-34 lead at the break.
Third Period
- A Kiki Samsel three stretched the King lead back to 51-40 early in the third quarter before Bluefield State went on a run.
- The Big Blue scored 12 straight points to take a 51-51 lead before Jada Owens ended the run with a layup to put the Tornado back ahead.
- Ali Golden followed with a triple and Owens made a basket, giving King a 58-52 with three minutes remaining in the quarter.
- King closed the quarter with seven straight points, capped by a Samsel trifecta that gave King a 65-54 advantage going to the final period.
Fourth Period
- Following a Lee basket that gave King a 67-54 lead, Bluefield State scored 12 straight points, cutting the King lead to 67-66 with five minutes remaining.
- However, Lee came up with a layup and Ryleigh Fritz drilled a triple to extend the King lead back to 72-68.
- King then closed out the 79-68 victory at the free throw line.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Lee led the Tornado with 22 points and 11 rebounds.
- Owens followed with 13 points and nine rebounds.
- Fritz added 12 points, four rebounds and four assists.
- Golden accounted for 11 points and four assists while Samsel chipped in with 10 points.
FOR THE FOES
- Katrina Davis led Bluefield State with 13 points and five rebounds.
- Londen Coleman and Ameera McClain followed with 12 points apiece with Coleman grabbing eight rebounds.
- Dani Janutolo chipped in with 11 points and six rebounds.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- The double-double for Lee is her first of the season and second in her career.
- Lee set career-highs with 22 points and 11 rebounds. She previously had a career-high 20 points on six occasions.
- Owns set career-highs of 13 points and nine rebounds.
UP NEXT
- King is in action again on Friday and Saturday when they host Southern Wesleyan University. Tipoff of Friday is slated for 5:00 p.m. and Saturday at 2:00 p.m.
- Bluefield State is scheduled to be in action again on January 27 at Southern Wesleyan.
