BRISTOL, Tenn. – The King University basketball team had four players score in double figures Wednesday night, led by 14 points from
Alexa Gramann and 13 from
Aroa Garcia as they beat Converse 72-64, avenging a loss from earlier this season.
THE BASICS
FINAL: King 72, Converse 64
LOCATION: Student Center Complex; Bristol, Tenn.
RECORDS: King 7-19, 7-11 Conference Carolinas; Converse 4-23, 4-15 Conference Carolinas
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Period
- Garcia scored the first five points of the game, hitting a layup then draining a three to put the Tornado up 5-0 with 7:59 left to play.
- A short time later, Jada Campbell knocked down a three, stretching the lead to 8-2.
- The Tornado continued to extend their advantage, eventually taking a 12-4 lead with just over five minutes left.
- After getting to within five with 1:46 to play, the Valkyries hit a couple of free throws late in the quarter to make the score 16-13.
Second Period
- The Tornado again scored the first points of the quarter, this time courtesy of Jaelyn West, who hit a fastbreak jumper before Marta Raseron hit a free throw, making the score 19-13.
- The Valkyries would score the next 14 points, taking a 27-19 lead.
- Gramann hit a pair of free throws in the waning seconds, bringing the Tornado to within 27-21 entering halftime.
Third Period
- After Garcia made a pair of free throws early, Michelle Gallegos drilled a three of her own, quickly bringing King to within one, 27-26 with 8:44 to play.
- After a series of rapid-fire lead changes, Converse was able to pull ahead, taking a 42-35 lead with 2:46 left on the clock.
- Garcia would hit a layup to bring the Tornado to within five before Jhayda McKinney hit a triple to make it a two-point game with 1:48 remaining.
- Jaden Potts would tie the game on a jumper with 51 seconds left, but Converse would score the final five points of the quarter to take a 47-42 lead.
Fourth Period
- McKinney didn't waste any time, grabbing a steal just four seconds into the quarter and hitting a fastbreak jumper, cutting the lead to 47-44.
- The Valkyries were up 56-51 with 7:11 remaining, before McKinney hit a pair of free throws to pull King within three.
- Tori Smiley got in on the act, hitting a fastbreak three to tie the score at 56 with 6:27 to play.
- After trading the lead, it was Ashley Allen who put King in front for good, hitting a pull up jumper to give King a 61-60 lead with just over five minutes to play.
- The Tornado would outscore the Valkyries 13-4 over the final five minutes, going 5-of-10 from the field to secure their second consecutive win.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Gramann finished with 14 points on eight rebounds, and was also 6-of-8 from the free throw line.
- Other Tornado to score in double figures include Garcia (13), Smiley (11) and McKinney (10).
FOR THE FOES
- The majority of the Valkyries' points came from three people, led by a 28-point performance from Sydney Wilson. Jordan Brown added 18, with Zahra Cross adding 12.
- Wilson also had nine rebounds, seven of which came on the defensive end.
UP NEXT
- The Tornado will continue their three-game homestand Sunday when they host Chowan, with tip-off set for 2:00 p.m.
- Converse will face Johnson & Wales Friday in a nonconference contest.
