BRISTOL, Tenn. – The King University men's basketball team picked up a nonconference win, 96-87 Thursday night over Johnson & Wales University. King had six players score in double figures, led by a 20 point performance from
Jordan Akal.
THE BASICS
FINAL: King 96, Johnson & Wales 87
LOCATION: Student Center Complex; Bristol, Tenn.
RECORDS: King 7-13; Johnson & Wales 8-10
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
- Both teams were hot early, as both King and Johnson & Wales made their first two shots, leading to a 5-5 score just one minute into the game.
- The Wildcats were able to stay close, with the King lead being 13-12 before Mikhail Pocknett drilled a three that kickstarted an 8-0 scoring run for the Tornado, turning the lead into 21-12.
- After the Wildcats cut into the King lead, the Tornado got a dunk from Satchel Love, who hit the ensuing free throw to put King in front, 29-19.
- After Love hit a layup with 5:46 left, the Wildcats went on a 7-0 scoring run, pulling to within 41-36 with 3:26 left to play.
- King would close the half on a 6-0 run over the final three minutes to take a 47-40 lead into halftime.
Second Half
- The Wildcats started the half with a 11-4 run, pulling even at 51 with 15:43 left to play.
- A three by the Wildcats with 11:11 to play pulled them to within three points at 66-63, but King would go on a 9-2 scoring run over the next three minutes to take a 75-65 lead.
- Both teams traded threes before King went on a 6-0 run, stretching the lead to 83-68 with just over five minutes to play.
- The Wildcats closed the game on a 15-7 scoring run over the final 2:37, but the Tornado were able to hang on for the nonconference win.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Akal had 20 points to lead the Tornado, while Kenny Turner had 16, Eli Elston scored 15, and Seth Cullen and Love both scored 11.
- Cullen finished with his first double-double of the season, also pulling 12 rebounds. It is the sixth straight game he has scored in double figures.
FOR THE FOES
- Nathan Meshida led all scorers with 23 points, while Jaylen Benson-Hollinhead, Jaben Mars and Natambu Calhoun all scoring 14.
- Benson-Hollinhead also had a team-high 12 rebounds.
UP NEXT
- King will continue their homestand on Saturday when they host North Greenville University.
- Johnson & Wales will play Monday night at Erskine.
