BRISTOL, Tenn. – The King University men's basketball team raced out to an early lead Tuesday afternoon, but fell to the University of Mount Olive, 99-86 in their conference opener.
THE BASICS
FINAL: Mount Olive 99, King 86
LOCATION: Student Center Complex; Bristol, Tenn.
RECORDS: King 2-6, 0-1 Conference Carolinas; Mount Olive 4-2, 2-0 Conference Carolinas
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
- The Tornado came out of the gate on fire, scoring eight of the first 10 points, with Mikhail Pocknett scoring a pair of buckets.
- Mount Olive pulled to within 18-15 with 12:09 left, but a Pocknett layup brought the score to 20-15 a short time later.
- The Trojans tied the score at 20 with 9:04 left, but the Tornado scored the next five points, including a three from Jordan Akal to make it a 25-20 lead.
- Mount Olive then went on a 20-8 scoring run, opening up a 40-33 lead with 2:31 remaining in the half.
- King was able to keep pace, heading into the locker room trailing 48-41.
Second Half
- Mount Olive scored the first seven points of the half, taking a quick 55-41 lead just two minutes into the half.
- Cam George hit a layup with 13:52 left in the half, starting what would turn out to be a 6-0 King scoring run, pulling to within 65-55.
- Trailing 82-68 with 6:15 left, Bradley Owens hit a pair of free throws, starting a 15-9 King scoring run over the next four minutes.
- Included in that run was a three from Seth Cullen, who then dunked a short time later, bringing the Tornado to within 91-82 with under two minutes to play.
- The Trojans closed the game going 4-of-5 from the free throw line in the closing minutes, turning it into an 8-4 scoring run to take the 99-86 win.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Pocknett led the Tornado, scoring 19 points and pulling eight rebounds, also handing out three assists.
- Cullen finished with a season-high 14 points, along with four rebounds.
FOR THE FOES
- Shane Peterson led the Trojans with 19 points, while Raul Perez had 15 points and six rebounds, five of which came on the defensive glass.
- Other Trojans to score in double fighres included Lureon Walker (14), Chase Dawson (14) and Christopher Brown (13).
UP NEXT
- King will host Blue Ridge Cup rival Lees-McRae Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m.
