BRISTOL, Tenn. – The King University men's basketball team battled with UNC Pembroke on Wednesday afternoon in the Student Center Complex, holding a lead at halftime. However, the Braves outscored the Tornado in the second half to take the contest 80-70.
THE BASICS
FINAL: UNC Pembroke 80, King 70
LOCATION: Student Center Complex; Bristol, Tenn.
RECORDS: King 2-6, 0-2 Conference Carolinas; UNC Pembroke 7-3, 2-0 Conference Carolinas
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
- King held the advantage in the early going as a Seth Cullen three-point play gave the Tornado a 7-4 lead in the first four minutes.
- However, the Braves scored five straight points to take the lead and late led 16-12 before a Dami Farinloye layup.
- UNC Pembroke then scored six straight points to take their largest lead of the half at 22-14, but the Tornado responded with a run.
- Eli Elston made a jump shot before a triple from Jordan Akal and layup from Mikhail Pocknett pulled King within 22-21 after the 7-0 spurt.
- Seth Cullen later scored sixth straight points to give King a 29-27 lead and even the score at 30 with two minutes remaining in the half.
- Pocknett and Amarius Beasley then made four free throws in the final minute to give King a 34-31 lead at the half.
Second Half
- The Braves then turned up in the offense in the second half, shooting 56.0 percent from the floor after shooting 45.8 percent in the opening 20 minutes.
- UNC Pembroke used a 15-2 run, including nine straight points to take a 54-39 lead with 12 minutes remaining in the contest before a pair of Kenny Turner free throws.
- The Braves gained their largest lead of the game before a Farinloye triple pulled King within 58-45 lead.
- King tried to get a run going with back-to-back layups from Turner and Farinloye that pulled King within 63-54, but the Braves answered to extend their lead back to double digits.
- Pocknett scored rive straight points to pull King within 72-64 in the final two minutes, but the Tornado couldn't get any closer as UNC Pembroke took the contest 80-70.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Pocknett led the Tornado with 21 points and seven rebounds.
- Cullen followed with 15 points and four rebounds while Turner posted 12 points, seven rebounds and a team-high four assists.
- Akal added 10 points and six rebounds.
FOR THE FOES
- Bradlee Haskell led four UNC Pembroke scorers in double figures with 22 points and six rebounds.
- Nygell Verdier added 15 points and nine rebounds while Javonte Waverly scored 11 points.
- JaJuan Carr chipped in with 10 points and five assists.
UP NEXT
- King is in action again on Tuesday when they host Lander University at 12:00 p.m. in the Student Center Complex.
- UNC Pembroke is in action again on Saturday against Young Harris College.
