Spartanburg, S.C.- The King University men's basketball team put together one of its most explosive offensive performances of the season on Tuesday night, racing out to a huge first-half lead and never looking back in a 94–82 road victory over Converse inside the Tom & Tracy Hannah Gym. The Tornado improve to 9–13 overall and 7–7 in Conference Carolinas play, while the Valkyries fall to 6–13 (4–10).
Game Flow
King wasted no time asserting control, opening the night with blistering efficiency. The Tornado shot 62.5 percent in the first half, knocked down four threes, and attacked the paint relentlessly on their way to a commanding
53–40 halftime lead.
The offensive balance was striking — five different players scored at least eight points before the break — and King's interior presence overwhelmed Converse early.
The second half featured several pushes from the Valkyries, who hit 17 threes on the night and cut the margin to single digits multiple times. But every Converse run was met with a poised King response.
King's physicality on the glass (46–31 advantage) and dominance in the paint (54 points) proved too much for Converse to overcome. The Tornado maintained a double-digit cushion down the stretch to secure the road win in front of 175 fans.
King Highlights
- Lenier Pocknett: 21 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals; 9-of-14 shooting
- Eli Elston: 21 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals; 7-of-14 from the field
- Djae Eason Jr.: Perfect shooting night — 11 points on 4-of-4 FG
- Luis Acevedo: 11 points, 5 rebounds, 6-of-6 at the line
- Jeremias Berchal: 8 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds
- Petar Mijatovic: Huge bench lift with 13 points, 9 rebounds
- Jalen Royster: 6 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals
- Bench Production: 22 points, highlighted by Mijatovic's impact and Mica Merriman's timely three
King shot
55.7% from the field and
75% at the line, while holding Converse to 38.2% overall.
Key Stats
| Category |
King |
Converse |
| Rebounds |
46 |
31 |
| Points in the Paint |
54 |
16 |
| Points off Turnovers |
13 |
19 |
| Second-Chance Points |
17 |
12 |
| Fast Break Points |
21 |
7 |
| Bench Points |
22 |
23 |
| Three-Pointers |
5 |
17 |
King's dominance inside — both scoring and rebounding — dictated the game, while the Tornado's ability to withstand Converse's perimeter shooting kept the momentum firmly in their favor.
Conclusion
The Tornado delivered a complete, high-powered road performance, combining elite efficiency, physical rebounding, and balanced scoring. Pocknett and Elston led the charge, while King's depth and composure ensured the lead never slipped away despite Converse's three-point barrage. The win moves King back to .500 in league play and continues their climb in the Conference Carolinas standings.
Next Game
King returns home on
Thursday, February 12, hosting
Erskine at
7:30 p.m.
