SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The King University men's basketball team saw their season come to an end Saturday night, falling 90-74 in the semifinals of the Atlantic Casualty Conference Carolinas tournament.
THE BASICS
FINAL: No. 1 UNC Pembroke 90, No. 5 King 74
LOCATION: Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium; Spartanburg, S.C.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
- The Braves jumped out to an early 12-4 lead four minutes into the game, before King scored six points over the next minute, pulling to within 12-10.
- King tied the game a few minutes later when Mikhail Pocknett hit a layup, tying the game at 14 with 11:52 left to play.
- Jordan Akal hit a three with 7:18 left in the half, giving King their first lead of the game, 23-21.
- The Braves closed the half on an 18-4 scoring run, taking a 39-27 lead into the locker room.
Second Half
- King scored the first four points coming out of the locker room, pulling to within 39-31 45 seconds into the half.
- The Tornado continued to cut into the UNCP lead, eventually getting a layup by Pocknett to get to within 49-48 with 14:38 left to play.
- King then went on a 14-5 scoring run, taking a 64-63 lead with 7:31 remaining in the half.
- UNCP then went on a 19-6 scoring run to extend the lead to 82-70 with two minutes left to play.
- Despite a valiant effort in the closing minutes, the Tornado were unable to overcome the lead, as UNC Pembroke held on for a 90-74 win.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Pocknett finished with 35 points and 10 rebounds, along with two blocks, assists and steals on the game.
- Akal had 13 points, while Jalen Royster scored 11 and Xavier Betancourt finished with 10.
FOR THE FOES
- JaJuan Carr scored 26 points for the Braves, leading a total of four Braves who scored in double figures on the game.
- UNC Pembroke shot 55 percent from the field.
