BRISTOL, Tenn. — The King University men's basketball team delivered its most dominant offensive performance of the season on Saturday evening, surging past Francis Marion University in a 106–78 victory at the Student Center Complex. With the win, the Tornado improved to 11–13 overall and 9–7 in Conference Carolinas play, while the Patriots dropped to 7–17 (7–9 CC). A crowd of 111 fans watched King erupt for 61 second-half points to secure a statement conference win.
Game Flow
The opening half featured fast-paced offense on both sides, with King holding a narrow 45–44 lead at the break. The Tornado shot 42.9 percent in the first half and kept pace with a hot-shooting Francis Marion squad that knocked down 51.6 percent of its attempts.
The second half, however, belonged entirely to King.
The Tornado unleashed a 61-point offensive explosion, attacking the rim, pushing the pace, and dominating in transition. King shot 54.8 percent in the final 20 minutes and went 24-for-27 at the free-throw line, turning a tight game into a runaway victory. Their defensive pressure also intensified, holding the Patriots to just 20 percent shooting from the field in the second half.
By the final buzzer, King had crossed the 100-point mark for the first time this season and secured a convincing 28-point win.
King Highlights
King showcased depth, efficiency, and relentless pace, with six players scoring in double figures:
- Jordan Akal led the charge with 25 points, attacking the basket and going an impressive 14-for-16 from the free-throw line. He added three rebounds, two steals, and a block.
- Lenier Pocknett delivered a powerful interior performance with 17 points and nine rebounds, shooting 7-for-12 from the field.
- Jeremias Berchal added 16 points, six rebounds, and strong defensive minutes.
- Eli Elston provided 14 points and four rebounds while going a perfect 6-for-6 at the line.
- Jalen Royster knocked down two threes and finished with 12 points, three rebounds, and two assists.
- Xavier Betancourt contributed 11 points, four assists, and a pair of threes.
King's bench was exceptional, combining for 43 points, while the team dominated transition with 42 fast-break points. The Tornado also capitalized on turnovers, scoring 20 points off Patriot miscues.
Francis Marion Effort
The Patriots were led by:
- Cole Deptula, who scored 23 points with four three-pointers and nine made free throws.
- Kennard Davis, who added 15 points, six rebounds, and five assists.
- Clyde Mauldin, who matched Davis with 15 points and hit two threes.
Francis Marion shot well early but struggled to keep pace with King's second-half surge, finishing at 34.8 percent from the field.
Key Stats
| Category |
King |
Francis Marion |
| Field Goal % |
48.5% |
34.8% |
| Three-Point % |
29.2% |
28.6% |
| Free Throws |
35–40 |
24–32 |
| Rebounds |
38 |
42 |
| Bench Points |
43 |
19 |
| Fast-Break Points |
42 |
22 |
| Points in the Paint |
44 |
30 |
| Points off Turnovers |
20 |
8 |
Conclusion
King's explosive second half, balanced scoring, and relentless transition attack powered the Tornado to a commanding conference victory. Akal's aggressive scoring, Pocknett's interior presence, and the bench's 43-point outburst highlighted a complete team effort. The win strengthens King's position in the Conference Carolinas standings as the regular season winds down.
Next Game
King returns to the Student Center Complex on Monday, February 16, hosting Emmanuel College at 7:00 p.m. ET.
