WILSON, N.C. – The King University men's basketball team battled throughout Saturday afternoon but couldn't slow down a hot-shooting Barton squad, falling 89–74 inside Wilson Gymnasium. The Tornado dropped to 8–13 overall and 6–7 in Conference Carolinas play, while the Bulldogs improved to 9–14 (7–8 Conference Carolinas).
Game Flow
King opened the game with strong ball movement and inside scoring, but Barton's efficiency allowed the Bulldogs to take a 44–34 lead into halftime.
Jeremias Berchal and
Luis Acevedo kept the Tornado within striking distance, combining for 19 first-half points, but Barton's ability to get to the free-throw line and control the glass created early separation.
The Tornado showed renewed energy coming out of the break.
Petar Mijatovic provided a spark off the bench with timely scoring, and
Lenier Pocknett battled inside to help King cut the deficit to single digits. However, Barton responded with a decisive run of its own. Trey Fields and Sean Quick-Streeter powered the Bulldogs' offense, combining for 46 points and consistently converting second-chance opportunities.
King continued to fight late, with Berchal attacking the rim and Acevedo getting to the line, but Barton's balanced scoring and interior presence proved too much. The Bulldogs closed the game with steady free-throw shooting and timely baskets to secure the home victory.
King Highlights
- Jeremias Berchal led King with 16 points, 3 assists, and 2 rebounds.
- Luis Acevedo added 13 points and a team-high 7 rebounds.
- Lenier Pocknett posted a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
- Petar Mijatovic scored 12 points on 6-for-8 shooting.
- Djae Eason Jr. contributed 9 points, including a made three.
- King pulled down 38 rebounds and scored 40 points in the paint.
Key Stats
| Category |
King |
Barton |
| Rebounds |
38 |
47 |
| Points in the Paint |
40 |
42 |
| Points off Turnovers |
13 |
12 |
| Second-Chance Points |
16 |
13 |
| Bench Points |
19 |
32 |
| Fast Break Points |
4 |
16 |
| Three-Pointers |
4 |
7 |
Barton's rebounding advantage and ability to convert at the free-throw line (18-for-23) played a major role, while King's struggles at the stripe (12-for-24) limited its ability to close the gap.
Conclusion
King showed stretches of strong offensive execution, highlighted by Berchal's scoring, Pocknett's work on the glass, and Mijatovic's efficiency off the bench. However, Barton's depth, rebounding, and timely shooting ultimately dictated the outcome. The Tornado continued to compete throughout but were unable to overcome the Bulldogs' second-half surge.
Next Game
The Tornado return to action on Tuesday, traveling to Converse for a 7:00 p.m. matchup.
