OWENSBORO, Ky. – The King University men's basketball team suffered an 86-76 loss Saturday afternoon at Kentucky Wesleyan. The Tornado outshot the Panthers, shooting 29-of-58 (50%) from the field compared to 30-of-61 (48%) for the Panthers.
THE BASICS
FINAL: Kentucky Wesleyan 86, King 76
LOCATION: Owensboro SportsCenter; Owensboro, Ky.
RECORDS: King 2-5; Kentucky Wesleyan 4-2
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
- It was a shootout early, with both teams hitting a series of quick buckets, including threes from Cam George and Xavier Betancourt, along with a dunk by Dylan Gory that put King in front 8-7.
- Kentucky Wesleyan took a 21-16 lead with 12:32 left to play, but a three by Betancourt and driving layup by Mikhail Pocknett allowed King to tie the score at 21 just over a minute later.
- After the Panthers took a 25-21 lead, there was a flurry of scoring, which ended with Petar Mijatovic hitting a three to bring the Tornado to within 30-29 with 8:04 remaining.
- King took a 36-35 lead with 4:17 left on a jumper from Gory, extending it a short time later when Bradley Owens took a pass from Seth Cullen and dunked, making it a three-point King lead.
- The Panthers pulled to within 38-37, but a three from George brought the Tornado lead to 44-37.
- Kentucky Wesleyan scored the final four points of the half, but the Tornado were able to take a 44-41 lead into the locker room.
Second Half
- The Panthers scored the first five points of the half, taking a brief 46-44 lead before Pocknett and Betancourt hit consecutive layups to give the Tornado a 48-46 lead.
- After the Pathers pulled to within 51-50, King scored seven straight points, opening up a 58-50 lead with 14:23 left.
- King took what was their largest lead of the day with 9:06 left when Pocknett hit a layup, drew the foul and hit the free throw to make it a 70-59 lead.
- Betancourt added to the lead a short time later, hitting a layup to put the Tornado in front 72-59 with 7:45 remaining.
- The Panthers scored the next nine points, pulling to within 72-68 with 4:57 left, at which point Cullen hit a three to put King in front 75-68.
- The Panthers then went on a 18-1 run that would span the remainder of the game
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Pocknett scored 23 points, the second consecutive game he has cleared the 20-point mark, and the fourth time this season. He also had seven assists and five rebounds, along with shooting 9-of-13 from the field.
- George finished with a season-high 18 points, while Betancourt scored 10 points and pulled a team-high six rebounds.
FOR THE FOES
- Logan McIntire scored 30 points, leading all scorers. He also had seven rebounds.
- Alex Gray posted a double-double, scoring 10 points and pulling 11 rebounds. All 10 of his points came from the free throw line.
- Other Panthers to score in double figures include Edward Jones Jr. (14), Kennedy Miles (14) and Quentin Toles (12).
UP NEXT
- The Tornado will open Conference Carolinas play Tuesday when they host Mount Olive at approximately 2:00 p.m. inside the Student Center.
