BELMONT, N.C. – The King University women's basketball team traveled to take on Conference Carolinas-leading Belmont Abbey College. The Tornado couldn't keep pace with the Crusaders early, as the deficit was too much for King to overcome in the 75-60 defeat.
THE BASICS
FINAL: Belmont Abbey 75, King 60
LOCATION: Wheeler Center; Belmont, N.C.
RECORDS: King 4-4, 3-4 Conference Carolinas; Belmont Abbey 11-2, 7-1 Conference Carolinas
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Period
- Julie Ford got off to a hot start for the Tornado, scoring eight points in the opening period, as she followed a Kiki Samsel steal and layup with back-to-back baskets to give King an early 8-6 lead.
- However, Belmont Abbey answered with seven straight points to take a 13-8- lead midway through the period.
- The Crusaders later scored eight straight points, opening up a 21-10 lead before another Ford basket.
- Belmont Abbey then closed the period on a 7-0 run to take a 28-12 lead into the second stanza.
Second Period
- Ali Golden started the second period with a triple for the Tornado, but the Crusaders answered with a basket.
- King pulled within 33-23 following a Samsel free throw that capped a 6-3 King run.
- Nevertheless, Belmont Abbey responded by scoring nine straight points to open up a 42-23 lead in the final minute.
- Ryleigh Fritz connected from long range with eight second remaining, but the Crusaders then beat the halftime buzzer with a triple, make the score 45-26 in favor of Belmont Abbey at the half.
Third Period
- Belmont Abbey opened up their largest lead of the game at 55-31 midway through the third period before King cut into the deficit.
- The Tornado closed the period on a 10-4 run.
- Ford scored the first three points and Jhayda McKinney made a triple in the final minute to make the King deficit 59-41 going to the final period.
Fourth Period
- The Crusaders held a sizable advantage for the majority of the final period, but King tried to comeback late as Fritz and Golden drilled back-to-back triples.
- Those baskets pulled King within 71-58 with one minute remaining, but King couldn't get any closer as Belmont Abbey took the contest 75-60.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Samsel led the Tornado with 16 points.
- Ford followed with 15 points and six rebounds and Golden added nine points.
FOR THE FOES
- Allie Downing led four Crusaders in double figures with 12 points to go along with seven rebounds.
- Alexis Schulz added 11 points and 11 rebounds.
- Hannah Roney and Keyanna Spivey chipped in with 10 points apiece.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- The 15 points for Ford sets a career-high. Her previous best was eight points, coming twice, the last time on January 26 at Erskine College.
UP NEXT
- The two teams meet again on Saturday in Bristol as tipoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
