BELMONT, N.C. – The King University women's basketball team went toe-to-toe with one of the nation's top teams, and the top seed in the Conference Carolinas Women's Basketball Championship in Belmont Abbey College on Thursday night. The fourth seeded Tornado held a lead over the 21st-ranked Crusaders through three quarters, but Belmont Abbey used an early fourth-quarter run to take the contest 68-59.
THE BASICS
FINAL: #21/16/No. 1 Belmont Abbey 68, No. 4 King 59
LOCATION: Wheeler Center; Belmont, N.C.
RECORDS: King 10-7; Belmont Abbey 21-2
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Period
- King used a 6-0 run to take a 6-2 lead in the early going before a Kiki Samsel triple gave the Tornado a 9-4 advantage.
- Belmont Abbey came back with three straight triples to take a 13-9 lead with four 3:54 until halftime.
- The score remained the same until Samsel drilled another triple, this one with 32 seconds remaining.
- Belmont Abbey made a free throw to take a 14-12 lead after one period.
Second Period
- The Crusaders extended their lead to four points on three occasions in the second quarter, but each time the Tornado responded.
- The first time Ali Golden drilled a triple, and the second time a Ryleigh Fritz layup and Jhayda McKinney three-point basket gave King a 20-19 lead.
- Following five straight Crusader points, Golden connected from long range before coming up with a steal and sending an outlet to Fritz who made a layup, giving King a 25-24 lead.
- Belmont Abbey came right down the floor and made a layup to regain the lead with 2:30 remaining until halftime.
- The teams then traded baskets in the final minute, giving Belmont Abbey a 28-27 lead at the half.
Third Period
- Belmont Abbey opened up a 34-29 lead early in the third quarter, but Golden scored a basket and assisted on a Julie Ford layup before Samsel gave King a 35-34 lead.
- The teams traded the lead a couple times before the Crusaders later used a 9-2 run to take 45-40 lead with 2:32 remaining in the period.
- However, King closed the period on an 8-2 run, including scoring the final five points of the quarter.
- Lee drilled a three-point basket and Fritz made a layup to give King a 48-47 lead going into the fourth quarter.
Fourth Period
- The Crusaders opened the fourth quarter with seven straight points to open up a 54-48 lead before Lee ended the spurt.
- A Jada Owens layup pulled King back within 54-52, but Hannah Roney answered with a three-point basket for the Crusaders to extend the lead.
- Lee tried to bring the Tornado back as she hit a three-point basket with three minutes remaining, pulling King within 60-56.
- However, the Tornado couldn't get any closer as the Crusaders closed out the 68-59 victory.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Golden led four Tornado scorers in double figures with 13 points.
- Samsel and Lee followed with 11 points apiece while Fritz added 10 points.
- Julie Ford chipped in with seven points and six rebounds.
FOR THE FOES
- Brittany Autry led Belmont Abbey with 22 points and nine rebounds.
- Irelynn Davission followed with 14 points and Allie Downing followed with 13 points.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Seniors Owens and Golden donned the scarlet and navy for the final time in their careers.
