WILSON, N.C. – The King University men's basketball team played well in the first half at Barton College on Saturday afternoon. However, the Bulldogs used a run late in the first half and early in the second half to gain the advantage and take the 96-83 victory.
THE BASICS
FINAL: Barton 96, King 83
LOCATION: Wilson Gymnasium; Wilson, N.C.
RECORDS: King 3-12, 0-7 Conference Carolinas; Barton 7-11, 4-4 Conference Carolinas
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
- Jordan Akal and Seth Cullen drilled back-to-back triples to vault King to a 13-8 lead three minutes into the contest.
- The tornado then took a 17-10 lead behind layups from Mikhail Pocknett and Jordan Akal.
- However, Barton went on a 13-1 run, including seven in a row to take a 25-20 lead midway through the half.
- King fought back and took a 38-36 lead following a Pocknett layup and Dami Farinloye triple with four minutes remaining in the half.
- A Pocknett three-point play later pulled King back within 44-43, but the Bulldogs scored the final seven points of the half, including a triple in the waning seconds to take a 51-43 lead at the break.
- Barton shot 61.3 percent from the floor while King shot 39.5 percent from the field.
Second Half
- The Barton run continued in the second half as they scored the first six points before an Akal layup made the scored 57-45 in favor of the Bulldogs.
- Barton followed that with five straight points to take a 62-45 lead before the teams started to trade points.
- Every time the Tornado tried to get a run going to cut into the deficit the rest of the way, Barton had an answer as they held the lead around 20 points throughout remainder of the half.
- King cut into the deficit late, but Barton took the contest 96-83.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Pocknett led the Tornado with 27 points and 11 rebounds.
- Cullen added 18 points while Akal accounted for 16 points, three rebounds and three assists.
- Kenny Turner chipped in with 11 points while Amarius Beasley handed out four assists.
FOR THE FOES
- Donaven Hairston led Barton with 23 points, five rebounds and four assists.
- Reese McDonald added 19 points and seven rebounds while Trevon Spencer posted 17 points, six rebounds and six assists.
- Jett Fortuny chipped in with 14 points.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Pocknett posed his third double-double of the season and second in as many contests. It was also his third game this season with at least 20 points.
UP NEXT
- King stays on the road to take on Southern Wesleyan University on Monday night. Tipoff from Central, S.C. is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
- Barton hosts the University of Mount Olive on Wednesday night.
