YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – The King University men's basketball dropped a tight contest at Young Harris College on Saturday afternoon. In a contest that saw 18 lead changes, the Tornado couldn't respond to a late Mountain Lion run, falling 78-74.
THE BASICS
FINAL: Young Harris 78, King 74
LOCATION: The Harp Recreation Commencement Center; Young Harris, Ga.
RECORDS: King 3-11, 0-6 Conference Carolinas; Young Harris 9-7, 4-3 Conference Carolinas
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
- Both offenses were hot in the opening 20 minutes as the Tornado shot 51.7 percent from the floor and Young Harris shot 53.3 percent from the floor.
- The teams traded baskets in the early going before the Mountain Lions took a 14-10 lead behind an 8-2 run.
- King responded, however, with seven straight points to take a 17-14 lead with 12 minutes remaining in the half.
- Kenny Turner started the run with a basket before Jordan Akal connected from long range and made a pair of free throws to give the Tornado the advantage.
- Young Harris later responded with a 7-0 run to regain a 28-25 lead before a Mikhail Pocknett free throw.
- Following a Mountain Lion triple, King scored seven straight points as a Cam George triple gave the Tornado a 33-31 lead.
- The score was tied three times over the final four minutes as a pair of Akal free throws gave King a 41-40 lead at the half.
Second Half
- Pocknett got the Tornado off to a hot start, scoring King's first eight points of the second half, giving the Tornado a 49-42 lead in the opening two minutes.
- The Tornado later went on a 7-0 run behind a Satchel Love basket, Akal triple and Pocknett basket that gave King their largest lead at 59-48 with 14 minutes remaining.
- The Tornado led 62-52 with 12 minutes remaining when the Mountain Lions started to chip away at their deficit.
- Young Harris scored five straight points to cut their deficit in half, and the Tornado led 66-61 before another Mountain Lion run.
- The Mountain Lions took a 67-66 lead with a 6-0 run before a Pocknett layup gave the lead back to the Tornado.
- The lead then changed hands three times before a pair of free throws and triple from Young Harris gave the Mountain Lions a 76-70 lead with 49 seconds remaining.
- Eli Elston connected from three-point range with 15 seconds remaining, but it wasn't enough as Young Harris took the contest 78-74.
- The Tornado shot 34.4 percent from the floor in the second half while Young Harris shot 53.9 percent from the floor to escape with the win.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Pocknett led the Tornado with 17 points and 10 rebounds while Akal added 15 points.
- Amarius Beasley added 13 points while Seth Cullen handed out eight assists.
FOR THE FOES
- Karl Chavis led Young Harris with 23 points and five assists.
- Cole Deptula added 18 points while Carl Cleveland posted 15 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
- Kolbe Ashe added 12 points while Cameron Bleshoy grabbed 13 rebounds.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- The double-double for Pocknett is the second of his career.
- The eight assists for Cullen set a career-high.
UP NEXT
- King stays on the road to take on Southern Wesleyan University on Wednesday night. Tipoff from Central, S.C. is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
- Young Harris hosts North Greenville University on Wednesday night.
