Bristol, Tenn. – Led by sophomore
Mikhail Pocknett's game-high 28 points, the King University Tornado held off conference foe Southern Wesleyan University this afternoon 89 to 80. King improved to a division-leading 10-4 and 13-10 overall.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: King 89 - Southern Wesleyan 80
LOCATION: Student Center Complex; Bristol, Tenn.
RECORDS: King 13-10 (10-4 Conference Carolinas) | Southern Wesleyan 8-15 (4-11 Conference Carolinas)
HOW IT HAPPENED
- With a 1:20 remaining, SWU's Jamarras McCray tipped in his own miss to cut the Tornado lead to just 5 points after trailing by 18 points earlier in the second half. Neither team would score a field goal in the final minute as King sealed the victory from the free throw line going 4 for 6.
- The first half was highlighted by Pocknett scoring his 1,000th career point on a driving layup down the lane. Pocknett is the fastest King basketball player to 1,000 points.
- King ended the first half on a 14 to 5 run, punctuated by three consecutive 3-point baskets, to take a 43 to 30 halftime lead. Jordan Akal made back-to-back 3-pointers while Jalen Royster added another one. Akal finished with 17 points while Royster had 6.
- Midway through the second half, King senior Xavier Betancourt made a layup to stretched the lead to 18 points at 67-49. Betancourt had 14 points in game. Over the next six minutes, SWU trimmed the King lead to single digits. SWU's Erick Hacknett scored 18 of his team-high 20 points in the second half.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Pocknett led the Tornado, finishing with 28 points. He also pulled down 8 rebounds. Jordan Akal added 17 while Xavier Betancourt scored 14 points.
- Seth Cullen was strong off the glass, pulling down a game-high 13 rebounds.
UP NEXT
King can clinch their conference division this Tuesday with a win over Belmont Abbey College. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.
