Bristol, Tenn. – The King University men's basketball team delivered a resilient effort on Wednesday, overcoming a halftime deficit to defeat North Greenville 75–67 at the Student Center Complex. The Tornado used a dominant second half and standout performances from their backcourt to secure the conference win in front of 134 fans.
Game Flow
North Greenville came out firing, shooting 46.4 percent in the opening half to take a 40–35 lead into the break. King stayed within striking distance thanks to efficient scoring from
Xavier Betancourt and
Jalen Royster, setting the stage for a decisive second-half push.
The Tornado flipped the script after halftime, outscoring the Crusaders 40–27. King tightened its defense, holding NGU to just 30.4 percent shooting in the final 20 minutes while converting timely baskets and capitalizing on second-chance opportunities. A 13–4 run midway through the half gave King the lead for good, and steady execution down the stretch sealed the eight-point victory.
King Highlights
- Xavier Betancourt powered the Tornado with a game-high 23 points on an efficient 9-of-12 shooting while adding eight rebounds.
- Jalen Royster continued his strong play, posting 19 points, nine rebounds, and three steals.
- Jordan Akal delivered 17 points, going a perfect 6-of-6 from the free-throw line and grabbing seven boards.
- Petar Mijatovic contributed seven rebounds and steady interior defense.
- King's bench added 14 key points, highlighted by Eli Elston's five points and Mica Merriman's three-point bucket.
- As a team, King shot 43.1 percent from the field (28-of-65) and controlled the glass with a 45–37 rebounding advantage. The Tornado also produced 16 second-chance points and 14 points off turnovers.
North Greenville Effort
The Crusaders were led by
Carter Bobbitt, who recorded a double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds.
Savion Brown added 15 points, including three triples, while
Jacob Brown posted 10 points and 11 rebounds. Despite shooting 39.2 percent overall, NGU stayed competitive with 13 fast-break points and 11 points off turnovers.
Key Stats
- Rebounds: King 45, North Greenville 37
- Second-Chance Points: King 16, North Greenville 11
- Points in the Paint: King 38, North Greenville 26
- Points off Turnovers: King 14, North Greenville 11
- Bench Points: King 14, North Greenville 9
Conclusion
King's second-half surge, fueled by Betancourt's efficiency and Royster's all-around impact, proved decisive in a tightly contested conference matchup. The Tornado showcased toughness on the boards, improved defensive execution, and balanced scoring to secure their fourth win of the season.
Next Game
King returns to action on
Saturday, January 10, hosting their next matchup at
4:00 p.m. ET at the Student Center Complex.
