BANNER ELK, N.C. – The King University men's basketball team had five scorers in double figures on Wednesday night in a win at rival Lees-McRae College.
Michael Mays led the way for the Tornado with a career-high 38 points in the 96-86 victory.
THE BASICS
FINAL: King 96, Lees-McRae 86
LOCATION: Williams Gymnasium; Banner Elk, N.C.
RECORDS: King 3-4, 2-0 Conference Carolinas; Lees-McRae 2-5, 0-2 Conference Carolinas
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
- The Tornado got off to a hot start as Jaylen Bernard drilled a three-point basket, and was fouled. He converted the free throw to give King a 9-4 lead.
- King later led 15-9 following a Jordan Akal offensive rebound and layup.
- However, Lees-McRae scored eight straight points to take the lead before a Brandon Lamberth layup evened the score.
- A Kenny Turner layup broke a tie at 20 and started an 11-2 run. A pair of Mays free throws capped the run and gave King a 31-22 lead with eight minutes remaining in the half.
- Bernard connected from long range in the final minute to give King a 43-34 lead at the half.
Second Half
- A Mays layup early in the second half gave King a 52-38 lead before the teams started to trade points.
- Each time King would try to pull away, Lees-McRae responded with points.
- The Bobcats cut the King lead to single digits with 12 minutes remaining, but Mays responded with a triple to give him a career-high for points with 31.
- King weathered a Lees-McRae run as the Bobcats pulled within 68-62 with eight minutes remaining, but Amarius Beasley responded with a trifecta to end the 5-0 spurt.
- Henry Okoye and Darron Howard followed with baskets for the Tornado, stretching the lead back to 75-62 with six minutes remaining.
- King held the lead there and iced the 96-86 victory at the free throw line down the stretch.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Mays led the Tornado with 38 points on 12-for-20 shooting, including 5-for-11 from three-point range. He went 9-for-10 from the free throw line.
- Beasley added 14 points and Turner accounted for 13 points and 12 rebounds.
- Lamberth chipped in with 11 points and Bernard added 10 points.
FOR THE FOES
- Jaylin Stewart led Lees-McRae with 16 points while Sydney Dollar added 14 points and seven rebounds.
- Timon Jones scored 12 points, and Dre Gardner added 12 points and 10 rebounds.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Mays' 38 points set a career-high, toping his previous best of 29.
- Beasley also set a career-high with 14 points, three more than his previous best.
UP NEXT
- King returns home on Saturday to take on Columbus State University at 4:30 p.m.
- Lees-McRae travels to Chowan University on Saturday afternoon.
