Box Score CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The King University men's basketball team earned a road nonconference win on Monday night at Johnson & Wales University (N.C.)
Kenny Turner posted a career night for the second straight contest to lead the Tornado to the 80-75 victory.
THE BASICS
FINAL: King 80, Johnson & Wales 75
LOCATION: JWU Wildcat Center; Charlotte, N.C.
RECORDS: King 3-10; Johnson & Wales 6-7
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
- A Jordan Akal triple and four points from Turner and a Seth Cullen got the Tornado off to a quick 10-4 lead.
- However, the Wildcats came back with an 8-0 run to take a 12-10 lead seven minutes into the contest.
- Josh Jackson ended the spurt with a triple and Turner started an 8-0 King run with a basket.
- A Turner dunk gave King the lead and a Cam George layup capped the run, giving King a 23-19 lead.
- Johnson & Wales came back and took the lead before the Tornado closed the half on a run.
- George drilled a three-point basket and turner made a layup to give King a 39-38 lead at the break.
- King shot 51.7 percent from the floor while the Wildcats shot 50.0 percent from the floor in the half.
Second Half
- An Akal layup started a 9-0 Tornado run early in the half.
- Mikhail Pocknett converted a three-point play before Turner grabbed a rebound and went the length of the floor and threw down a dunk that gave King a 52-44 with 13 minutes remaining.
- The Tornado used a 7-0 run to take a 66-54 lead following a Satchel Love triple with eight minutes remaining.
- However, the Wildcats responded with 10-1 run, including straight points to start the spurt and cut the King lead to 67-64 with five minutes remaining.
- The Tornado responded with a 7-0 spurt to take a 74-64 lead, but the Wildcats came back again down the stretch.
- Johnson & Wales closed the contest on a 7-1 run, but Pocknett made a layup with 1:36 remaining that gave the Tornado a 78-72 lead.
- Akal iced the 80-75 victory with a pair of free throws in waning seconds.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Turner led the Tornado with 24 points and 11 rebounds. He went 8-for-16 from the floor and 8-for-9 from the free throw line.
- Love added 11 points while Pocknett chipped in with nine points.
FOR THE FOES
- Ethan Smith led the Wildcats with 22 points on 9-for-14 shooting from the floor.
- Jaylen Benson-Hollin added 16 points and 10 rebounds while Nathan Meshida accounted for 11 points.
- Jaben Mars chipped in with 10 points.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Tuner posted a career-high for the second straight contest with 24 points. His previous best of 21 points came on Saturday against Francis Marion University.
- He also posted his second straight double-double, grabbing a season-high 11 boards.
UP NEXT
- King returns to Conference Carolinas action on Saturday at Young Harris College. Tipoff from Young Harris, Ga. is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.
- Johnson & Wales hosts Bob Jones University on Saturday.
