BRISTOL, Tenn. – The King University women's basketball team fought back in the first half against the University of Mount Olive on Saturday. However, a Mount Olive run early in the third quarter was too much for the Tornado to overcome as Mount Olive took the Conference Carolinas contest 67-50.
THE BASICS
FINAL: Mount Olive 67, King 50
LOCATION: Student Center Complex, Bristol, Tenn.
RECORDS: King 2-18, 1-9 Conference Carolinas; Mount Olive 5-12, 3-6 Conference Carolinas
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Period
- Jaden Potts and Jhayda McKinney knocked down a pair of triples in the first five minutes to even the score at 6-6.
- Mount Olive then went on an 8-2 run before an Ashley Phillip free throw and Jaelyn West layup pulled King within 14-11 after the first quarter.
Second Period
- Mount Olive start the quarter with a basket before back-to-back baskets from Ashley Allen and Alexa Gramann pulled King within 16-15.
- The Tornado deficit grew tow 24-16 before King closed the half on an 8-1 run.
- King made six free throws before an Allen layup with seven seconds remaining pulled King within 25-24 at the half.
Third Period
- Allen then scored the first basket of the second half, giving the Tornado a 26-25 lead.
- However, Mount Olive scored the next 13 points to take a 38-26 lead before a Le'Aije Ellington triple.
- Raven Addison followed with a trifecta, but the Trojans extended their lead back to 45-33 with a 7-1 spurt.
- The teams traded baskets as Mount Olive took a 47-35 to the final stanza.
Fourth Period
- The teams traded baskets in the early going, but Mount Olive had an answer each time the Tornado tried to make a run.
- King scored six straight points to pull within 14 late in the quarter, but couldn't get any closer as the Trojans took the contest 67-50.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Allen led the Tornado with 10 points and six rebounds.
- Alayna Smith added nine points and 10 rebounds.
- Gramann chipped in with seven points.
FOR THE FOES
- Laila Anderson led Mount Olive with 20 points, three rebounds and five assists.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- The 10 rebounds for Smith mark a career-high, topping her previous best of nine.
UP NEXT
- King travels to rival Lees-McRae College on Tuesday night. Tipoff from Banner Elk, N.C. is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.
- Mount Olive travels to UNC Pembroke on Wednesday.
