BRISTOL, Tenn. –
Jordan Akal scored a career-high 26 points Saturday afternoon, but the King University men's basketball team was unable to prevail, falling 98-87 to Conference Carolinas foe Francis Marion University.
THE BASICS
FINAL: Francis Marion 98, King 87
LOCATION: Student Center Complex; Bristol, Tenn.
RECORDS: King 2-10 0-5 Conference Carolinas; Francis Marion 5-8, 3-2 Conference Carolinas
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
- After King won the opening tip, Kenny Turner needed just 10 seconds to score, hitting a quick layup.
- Turner then picked up a steal, drawing a foul and hitting both free throws, putting King in front 11-9 with 16:58 to play.
- The Patriots took a narrow 14-13 lead, but the Tornado scored the next five points, including a three from Cam George to retake the lead, 18-14.
- A Francis Marion scoring run saw them take a 33-24 lead with 5:29 to play, but the Tornado would finish the half on a 15-8 scoring run, including a jump shot from Akal with three seconds left to tie the score at 39 entering halftime.
Second Half
- Francis Marion started the half on an 8-3 scoring run before Akal hit a three, pulling King to within 47-44 with 17:20 to play.
- The Tornado would chip away at the lead, eventually tying the score at 50 with 15:02 remaining.
- A 12-4 scoring run for the Patriots saw them open up a 64-56 lead that King was able to trim to 66-63 with 8:33 left.
- Francis Marion then scored the next 12 points, opening up a 78-63 lead before Turner hit a pair of free throws with 6:00 remaining.
- After hitting a three with 5:24 left, Akal picked up an old-fashioned three point play, hitting a driving layup, drawing the foul and converting the free throw, cutting the lead to 84-72.
- King finished the game on a 11-6 run, with Pocknett hitting a driving layup with 16 seconds left and Akal capping things off with a dunk, but it wasn't enough as the Patriots held on for a 98-87 win.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Akal was one of two Tornado to score 20+ points, with Turner picking up a double-double, posting 21 points and 10 rebounds, along with a team-high four steals.
- Pocknett finished with 19 points on seven rebounds and a team-best three assists.
FOR THE FOES
- Francis Marion had six score in double figures, led by 24 points from Horaces Jacques Jr., who also had a team-best five assists.
- Adonis Cole pulled nine rebounds for the Patriots, while Marlow Gilmore Jr. had 15 points, two steals and four blocks.
UP NEXT
- King will start a four-game road trip Monday when they play at Johnson & Wales University.
- Francis Marion will host Barton College Tuesday night.
