BELMONT, N.C. – The King University women's basketball team traveled to take on one of the country's top teams, Belmont Abbey College. The Tornado hung with the 22nd-ranked Crusaders, but a pair of Belmont Abbey runs were too much to overcome as King fell 77-61.
THE BASICS
FINAL: RV/#22 Belmont Abbey 77, King 61
LOCATION: Wheeler Center; Belmont, N.C.
RECORDS: King 5-18, 5-10 Conference Carolinas; Belmont Abbey 18-4, 15-1 Conference Carolinas
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Period
- Both teams got off to slow starts before Jhayda McKinney drilled a triple to start the scoring.
- However, the Crusaders responded with seven straight before an Ashley Allen layup.
- The teams then traded baskets until the Tornado scored four of the final five points to pull within 14-13 going to the second period.
Second Period
- Belmont Abbey scored four quick points to extend their lead to 23-17 as the Tornado called for a timeout.
- Out of the break, King received baskets from MyKeria Johnson and Alexa Gramann to cut their deficit to two points.
- The teams traded baskets before a Le'Aije Ellington basket pulled King with 30-27 with 1:32 remaining.
- However, the Crusaders scored the final seven points of the period to take a 37-27 lead at the half.
Third Period
- The run continued as the Crusaders scored the first five points of the third quarter to take a 42-27 lead before an Ellington layup for the Tornado.
- The King deficit grew to 53-34 following a 7-0 Crusader spurt before Tori Smiley knocked down a triple to start a 12-4 Tornado run.
- Smiley later connected on back-to-back triples that pulled King within 57-46 in the final two minutes of the period.
- However, Belmont Abbey scored the final five points, extending their lead to 62-46 at the end of the period.
Fourth Period
- Belmont Abbey opened the final period with a triple before King tried to chip away.
- King scored seven of the next nine points as a Jaden Potts triple pulled King within 67-53 four minutes into the period.
- However, the Crusaders extended their lead back to 20 points before Potts connected from long range again.
- However, it wasn't enough as Belmont Abbey took the contest 77-61.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Smiley led the Tornado with 16 points, going 6-for-8 from the floor.
- Potts followed with 13 points and Gramann added eight points, six rebounds and four assists.
FOR THE FOES
- Taylor Stelley led four Crusaders in double figures with 29 points.
- Abigail Crain added 14 pounds, six rebounds and four assists.
- Peyton Nation accounted for 13 points and 12 rebounds while Riley James chipped in with 11 points.
UP NEXT
- King travels to Barton College on Saturday. Tipoff from Wilson, N.C. is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
- Belmont Abbey travels to Chowan University on Saturday.
