BRISTOL, Tenn. – A couple days after squaring off for the first time, the King University women's basketball team took on Conference Carolinas-leading Belmont Abbey College. The Tornado played tough, and had a chance for the win, but fell to the Crusaders 58-57.
THE BASICS
FINAL: Belmont Abbey 58, King 57
LOCATION: Student Center Complex; Bristol, Tenn.
RECORDS: King 4-5, 3-5 Conference Carolinas; Belmont Abbey 12-2, 8-1 Conference Carolinas
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Period
- The Tornado got off to a hot start, making their first three triples and going 7-for-8 from the floor in the opening five minutes.
- Kiki Samsel drilled back-to-back triples that vaulted the Tornado into a 12-7 lead in the opening minutes.
- King opened up a 17-9 advantage following a Trinity Lee triple midway through the period.
- However, the Crusaders closed the period on a run over the final five minutes.
- Jada Owens later made the score 19-11, but Belmont Abbey scored the final nine points of the quarter to take a 20-19 lead.
Second Period
- Jhayda McKinney drilled a triple to even the score at 22 before the Crusaders rolled off nine straight points.
- A Brianna Dunbar triple capped a 7-0 King spurt that pulled the Tornado within 33-29 with three minutes remaining until halftime.
- However, Belmont Abbey scored the final four points of the period to take a 37-29 lead at halftime.
Third Period
- King faced their largest deficit of the game, 41-29 early in the third period, but three straight baskets from Julie Ford, Ryleigh Fritz and Samsel pulled King back within six points.
- The Tornado again trailed by 12, but they scored five of the final six points in the quarter, capped by a Fritz jump shot that pulled King within 52-44 going to the final period.
Fourth Period
- Following a Caroline Harville basket, Dunbar drilled another triple, giving King the first five points of the fourth period.
- Ali Golden then went on a personal 8-0 run with back-to-back three-point baskets and a layup following a Samsel steal to give King a 57-55 lead with 3:33 remaining.
- Belmont Abbey made a pair of free throws to even the score with 1:31 remaining, and later made one free throw with 1:16 remaining to take a 58-57 lead.
- King had a pair of chances to take the lead, but couldn't connect as Belmont Abbey took the contest 58-57.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Samsel led King with 11 points and four rebounds.
- Ford posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
- Lee added nine points and six rebounds while Fritz handed out five assists.
FOR THE FOES
- Brittany Autry led Belmont Abbey with 14 points and 14 rebounds.
- Keyanna Spivey followed with 13 points and six rebounds while Allie Downing chipped in with 11 points.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- The double-double for Ford is her first of the season.
UP NEXT
- King is in action again on Tuesday at North Greenville University. Tipoff from Greenville, S.C. is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.
- Belmont Abbey hosts Erskine College on Wednesday night.
