MURFREESBORO, N.C. -- The King University women's basketball team had three players score in double digits, but were unable to pick up a road win Saturday afternoon, falling to Conference Carolina foe Chowan 82-62.
Brianna Dunbar led the way, scoring 20 points and going 14-16 from the free throw line for the Tornado.
THE BASICS
FINAL: Chowan University 82, King University 62
LOCATION: Hawks Athletic Center; Murfreesboro, N.C.
RECORDS: Chowan 5-4, 5-2 Conference Carolinas; King 7-3, 6-2 Conference Carolinas
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Period
- After falling behind early, the Tornado started to find their groove in the final three minutes, with Trinity Lee nailing a three and Brianna Dunbar converting a layup to get King to within seven.
- After a brief period with no scoring, Desiree Bates knocked down a three to make it a 19-14 lead for Chowan.
- The Hawks responded in the closing seconds, knocking down a three of their own to take an eight-point lead into the second quarter.
Second Period
- The second quarter looked a lot like the first, with the Hawks racing out to an early lead and King slowly chopping away.
- The first buckets of the quarter for the Tornado came just 30 seconds into the game, when Dunbar stepped up to the line and made a pair of free throws. A short time later, she would return to the line and once again knock down both, making the score 27-18 in favor of Chowan.
- Down the stretch, it was free throws that kept the Tornado in the game, as they went 11-14 in the quarter from the line, including a 30-second stretch where they were 4-4, with Fritz and Lee both nailing a pair.
- After King got to within four with 2 minutes left, the Hawks scored the final four points of the quarter, taking a 41-33 lead into the locker room.
Third Period
- In the third quarter, it was the Tornado who came out firing on all cylinders, as they scored the first seven points to get to within a single point, 41-40.
- After a back-and-forth battle, the Tornado took their first lead of the game with just under three minutes to go, when Fritz hit a short jumper to give King a 50-49 lead.
- Chowan started to pull away in the final 90 seconds, hitting a triple with 45 seconds remaining to take a 56-52 lead.
Fourth Period
- The Hawks started the fourth quarter just like they finished the third, with a three, this one giving them a 59-52 lead just 11 seconds into the period.
- That was the beginning of the end for the Tornado, as Chowan would go on to outscore King 26-10 in the final frame.
- King showed life at the halfway point, as Dunbar hit a fastbreak jumper, which was followed a short time later by her getting a steal and feeding Lee, who hit a transition layup to bring the score back to single digits.
- Chowan scored the final 15 points of the game however to walk away with the win.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Dunbar finished with a game-high 20 points on 14-16 shooting from the free throw line. She also pulled a pair of rebounds and recorded three steals.
- Fritz scored in double-digits for the third straight game finishing with 17 points and five rebounds, four of which were offensive.
- Lee also finished in double figures, scoring 13 points with five rebounds and a pair of steals.
FOR THE FOES
- Five hawks scored in double figures, led by Olivia Gaither, who had 19 points. Destiny Robinson scored 17, while Monique Jones added 15 points. Both Robinson and Jones had 12 rebounds as well.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Dunbar's 14 made free throws is the most of the season for the Tornado, and the most since Brooke Johnson made 14 back on Jan. 16, 2012 against Lees-McRae.
UP NEXT
- This was the final game of the calendar year for the Tornado, who will open the new year on Jan. 4 against Mount Olive.
- Chowan will also be in action on Jan. 4, when they face UNC Pembroke.
