BRISTOL, Tenn. – The King University men's basketball team went toe-to-toe with one of the country's best teams on Friday night. The Tornado led sixth-ranked UNC Pembroke at the half, but the Braves put together a big second half to take the 87-68 victory.
THE BASICS
FINAL: #6/#7 UNC Pembroke 87, King 68
LOCATION: Student Center Complex; Bristol, Tenn.
RECORDS: King 10-10, 7-9 Conference Carolinas; UNC Pembroke 19-1, 16-1 Conference Carolinas
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
- MJ Foust got the Tornado off to a hot start with three points in the early going, but the Braves came back to take the lead.
- A Connor Jordan triple and two Desmond Davis free throws gave King five straight points and evened the tally at 18 midway through the half.
- Darron Howard followed with a triple, giving King a 21-19 advantage.
- King tried to gain separation as King went on a 7-2 run with all seven points going to Howard.
- He knocked down a triple that gave the Tornado a 32-28 lead with five minutes remaining until halftime.
- A pair of Isaiah Curry free throws gave King their largest lead at 40-33, and the Tornado held a 42-39 lead at the break.
Second Half
- Conference Carolinas' top defense for the Braves dug in during the second half, holding the Tornado to 26 points and a 27.3 field goal percentage.
- The Braves were also tough on the glass, outrebounding King 53-31 in the contest, including 25-16 in the second half.
- UNC Pembroke used an 8-4 run to take a 47-46 lead.
- Back-to-back baskets from Jordan and Howard regained a 50-47 lead for the Tornado.
- However, UNC Pembroke responded with seven straight points to take a 54-50 advantage.
- King hung around, cutting their deficit to 59-56 midway through the half, but again, UNC Pembroke scored seven straight points.
- A triple from Jordan Ratliffe gave UNC Pembroke a 66-56 lead before Jordan came up with a basket for the Tornado.
- King couldn't get a run going after that, falling 87-68 as the Braves extended their lead at the free throw line down the stretch.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Howard led King with 14 points off the bench.
- Jordan followed with 12 points.
- Curry grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds and added six points.
- Foust snared a season-high 10 rebounds to go along with eight points and four assists.
FOR THE FOES
- The Braves shot 58.1 percent from the floor in the second half.
- Tyrell Kirk led UNC Pembroke with 20 points and five rebounds.
- Spence Levi added 13 points and eight rebounds.
- Jakari Gallon added 11 points and Nate Dunlop chipped in with 10 points.
- Deon Berrien grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds to go along with nine points.
UP NEXT
- King stays at home to take on Francis Marion University at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday.
- UNC Pembroke travels to Lees-McRae College on Saturday afternoon.
