Box Score FLORENCE, S.C. –
Mikhail Pocknett recorded a double-double Saturday afternoon, scoring 27 points and 15 rebounds, but the King University men's basketball team fell on the road, 80-74 to Francis Marion.
THE BASICS
FINAL: Francis Marion 80, King 74
LOCATION: Smith University Center; Florence, S.C.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
- Neither team was able to gain a large advantage early, with Abdel-Majid Dylan Gory dunking with 17:01 let to give King a 9-7 lead.
- At the 15:38 mark, Petar Mijatovic hit a three, giving King their largest lead to that point, 12-7.
- After the Patriots pulled into the lead, Pocknett hit a layup, followed by Cam George hitting a three to put King back in front, 19-17 with 9:20 remaining.
- Another dunk from Gory a couple minutes later extended the lead to 21-17, while Cullen hit a three at the 5:13 mark to make it 24-18 in favor of the Tornado.
- The teams continued to trade the lead, with Pocknett hitting a three with 1:24 left, but the Patriots ended up taking a 32-31 lead into the halftime break.
Second Half
- The Patriots scored the first 10 points before Gory hit a hook shot with 16:17 left, making the score 42-33 Patriots.
- After Francis Marion took their largest lead of the game, 73-57 with 4:56 left, King began their late rally, starting with Jordan Akal hitting a three to pull King to within 73-60.
- Pocknett then hit a bucket, followed by a pair of free throws, with FMU adding a free throw as well. Akal then hit a three with 1:36 left, making it a 75-67 game.
- After a Pocknett three, and two Francis Marion free throws, Akal hit another three, this one with 1:08 left to trim the lead to 77-72.
- Pocknett hit a driving layup with 15 seconds left to make it 78-74, with the Patriots hanging on, making a pair of free throws in the closing seconds to take the 80-74 win.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Pocknett, who played all 40 minutes for the first time in his career, finished with another double-double, this time with 27 points and 15 rebounds, along with five assists and four steals.
- Akal finished with 15 points, while Cullen scored 11 with nine rebounds.
- Gory and Cullen both had a block as well for King.
FOR THE FOES
- Latavian Lawrence led the Patriots with 18 points, one of four players to score in double figures. Jordan Surratt had a double-double at 15 points and 12 rebounds, along with four assists.
UP NEXT
- The Tornado will host North Greenville Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
