ROME, Ga. – The King University men's basketball team delivered a gritty road performance on Thursday night, holding off Shorter 90–86 inside the Winthrop-King Centre. The Tornado improved to 7–12 overall and 5–6 in Conference Carolinas play, while the Hawks dropped to 7–11 (5–7 Conference Carolinas).
Game Flow
King came out firing, using efficient shooting and strong ball movement to build a 41–35 halftime lead. Jeremias Berchal set the tone early, scoring inside and out while the Tornado knocked down five threes in the opening period. King's defense forced tough looks from Shorter, helping maintain a two-possession advantage at the break.
The Tornado offense found another gear in the second half, shooting 52.9 percent from the field and 77.8 percent from three. Jordan Akal heated up from deep, while Lenier Pocknett and Eli Elston continued to attack the paint. King pushed its lead into double digits midway through the half, but Shorter refused to go away.
The Hawks surged late behind the trio of Donovan Shangase, Chris Bibbs, and Ja'Myas Davis, combining for 65 points. Shorter cut the margin to a single possession multiple times, but King responded each time with timely baskets. A clutch three from Mica Merriman and steady free-throw shooting from Berchal and Akal helped the Tornado withstand the final push and secure the four-point victory.
King Highlights
- Jeremias Berchal led King with 19 points on 7-for-8 shooting, adding 6 rebounds.
- Jordan Akal scored 18 points, hitting four threes and dishing out 6 assists.
- Lenier Pocknett posted 13 points and 7 rebounds in 34 minutes.
- Mica Merriman provided a huge lift off the bench with 11 points on perfect 4-for-4 shooting.
- Petar Mijatovic added 8 points, knocking down both of his threes.
- Jalen Royster grabbed 6 rebounds and added 5 points.
- King finished with 45 rebounds and 28 bench points.
Key Stats
| Category |
King |
Shorter |
| Rebounds |
45 |
39 |
| Points in the Paint |
34 |
40 |
| Points off Turnovers |
11 |
11 |
| Second-Chance Points |
16 |
16 |
| Bench Points |
28 |
7 |
| Fast Break Points |
11 |
11 |
| Three-Pointers |
12 |
9 |
King's depth and perimeter shooting proved decisive, while Shorter relied heavily on its starting lineup, which accounted for 79 of the Hawks' 86 points.
Conclusion
The Tornado showcased resilience and offensive balance throughout the night, building a first-half lead and responding to every Shorter run. Berchal's efficiency, Akal's playmaking, and Merriman's spark off the bench highlighted a strong team effort. Despite a late surge from the Hawks, King's composure in the closing minutes secured an important conference road win.
Next Game
The Tornado return to action on Saturday, January 31, traveling to Emmanuel for a 4:00 p.m. matchup.
