MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. – The King University men's basketball team had their season come to an end in the Conference Carolinas Tournament first round on Sunday at the University of Mount Olive. The eighth-seeded Tornado fell to ninth seed Francis Marion 90-83.
THE BASICS
FINAL: No. 9 Francis Marion 90, No. 8 King 83
LOCATION: Kornegy Arena; Mount Olive, N.C.
RECORDS: King 14-15, Francis Marion 13-14
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
- The opening 20 minutes was played within six points as the Patriots held the lead for the majority of the period.
- Francis Marion used four straight points to gain a lead before a Brandon Lamberth jump shot evened the score at 12.
- The Patriots then used an 8-2 run to take their largest lead of the half at 20-14 before Isaiah Curry and Desmond Davis scored back-to-back buckets.
- An Amarius Beasley triple eventually evened the score at 26 with five minutes remaining in the half before two Daron Howard free throws gave King a 28-26 lead.
- The Tornado then went on a 7-2 run started by an MJ Foust layup.
- Michael Mays followed with a jump shot and triple that put King ahead 37-36.
- Foust closed the scoring in the half with a free throw in the final seconds, evening the score at 38.
Second Half
- The Patriots grabbed the momentum early, but King fought back in the middle of the half as Foust started a Tornado run with a pair of baskets, including a three-point play.
- Mays finished the 12-1 run that gave King their largest lead at 62-52 with a steal and layup before connecting on another three-point basket.
- However, Francis Marion responded with a 10-1 run to pull within 63-62 with eight minutes remaining.
- The Patriots took a 66-65 lead before a Davis jump shot gave the lead back to King.
- However, Francis Marion scored seven straight points to open up a 73-67 lead with four minutes remaining.
- King couldn't recover as the Patriots took the contest 90-83.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Mays led King with 23 points, shooting 9-for-16, including 5-for-6 from three-point range.
- Foust followed with 16 points and five rebounds.
- Curry added 12 points and 12 rebounds.
- Davis posted eight points and five assists.
FOR THE FOES
- Alex Cox led Francis Marion with 26 points while Tionne Rollins added 17 points.
- Jonah Pierce scored 14 points to go along with 10 rebounds.
- Nick Silva chipped in with 10 points.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Curry ended the season with seven double-doubles, including each of the final three games for the Tornado.
