HIGH POINT, N.C. – The King University women's basketball team took on their second NCAA Division I foe in an exhibition contest when they traveled to High Point University on Thursday night. The Tornado trailed the Panthers by one at the half, but High Point was too much for the Tornado in the fourth quarter, falling 76-56.
THE BASICS
FINAL: High Point 76, King 56
LOCATION: Qubein Center; High Point, N.C.
RECORDS: EXHIBITION
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Period
- Both teams struggled to score in the opening four minutes with the first points coming at the free throw line as King led 2-1 behind a pair of Kiki Samsel free throws.
- Over the final six minutes of the period, the lead changed hands seven times as the pace picked up.
- Jhayda McKinney scored the first field goal of the game with a layup to start the onslaught.
- Ryleigh Fritz scored back-to-back layups to give King a 14-13 lead with a minute remaining, but the Panthers scored the final four points, including a buzzer beater to take a 17-14 lead into the second period.
Second Period
- High Point extended their lead to 31-22 before the Tornado worked their way back.
- McKinney started a Tornado run with three free throws as she was fouled on a three-point attempt.
- Trailing 33-25, King scored six straight points to pull within 33-31 following a Desiree Bates layup with 1:12 before halftime.
- Bates later drilled a three-point basket, making the King run 9-2 to close the half as the Tornado trailed 35-34 at the half.
- King shot 53.8 percent from the floor in the opening half while holding High Point to a 37.8 field goal percentage.
Third Period
- McKinney started the third quarter with a basket, giving king a 36-35 lead, and Alexa Gramann evened the score at 38 with a pair of free throws.
- High Point then scored six straight points to take a 44-38 lead before a pair of Brianna Dunbar free throws.
- Bates knocked down a three-point basket that pulled King within 46-45, but the Panthers responded with a 10-0 run to take a 56-45 lead.
- The King deficit grew to 59-47 before Dunbar converted a three-point play to pull King within 59-50 going to the fourth period.
Fourth Period
- Madison Worley started the fourth quarter with a pair of free throws, but High Point came back with 10 straight points and seemingly put the game out of reach.
- The Panthers outscored King 17-6 in the fourth quarter to take the contest 76-56.
- The Tornado shooting cooled in the second half, shooting 20.0 percent and 10.0 percent in the final 10 minutes.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Dunbar led King with 17 points, going 7-for-7 from the free throw line.
- Bates followed with 10 points and three rebounds while Fritz chipped in with eight points and six rebounds.
FOR THE FOES
- High Point was led by 18 points 10 rebounds and four assists from Jensen Edwards.
- Jaden Wrightsell added 15 points and 12 rebounds as the Panthers had four scorers in double figures.
UP NEXT
- King plays their home opener on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. against Southern Wesleyan University. It is also community appreciation day with free admission for all fans.
- High Point travels to 17th-ranked University of South Florida on December 17.
