BRISTOL, Tenn. – The King University men's basketball team battled rival Lees-McRae College into overtime Wednesday night, but ultimately fell in their regular season finale despite a historic night from
Jordan Akal, who scored a career-high 36 points.
THE BASICS
FINAL: Lees-McRae 105, King 100 (Overtime)
LOCATION: Student Center Complex; Bristol, Tenn.
RECORDS: King 9-18, 5-13 Conference Carolinas; Lees-McRae 18-10, 11-7 Conference Carolinas
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
- After lees-McRae jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead, King scored the next 11 points, with Eli Elston hitting a three to start the run, which put King in front 11-5.
- Lees-McRae was able to tie the game at 13, but Seth Cullen hit a three at the 12:01 mark, followed 20 seconds later by Akal hitting a three, giving King a 21-15 lead.
- A flurry of scoring near the halfway mark of the half saw the bobcats pull to within 30-28, but Akal hit a jumper to make it 32-28 with 7:33 remaining.
- The Bobcats continued to pull closer, eventually tying the score at 36 with 3:04 left.
- The Tornado got a pair of free throws from Cullen and a layup from Mikhail Pocknett, but heading into halftime the score was tied at 40.
Second Half
- King scored the first five points, with Elston hitting a three to put King in front 45-40.
- Eli Elston hit a free throw with 15:15 left, putting King in front 49-44, but the Bobcats then scored the next seven points, taking a 51-49 lead.
- After Lees-McRae took a 63-61 lead with 9:56 left, King went on a 8-0 scoring run, pulling in front 69-63 with 7:56 remaining.
- The Tornado lead reached 10 with 6:54 to play when Pocknett hit a pair of free throws.
- Lees-McRae would score the next 10 points, pulling even at 73.
- It was a battle over the next few minutes, with the Bobcats taking a 79-75 lead before King came storming back to go ahead 83-80 with just over a minute left.
- Lees-McRae would hit a layup with two seconds left, tying the game and sending it to overtime.
Overtime
- The Tornado scored the first three points, taking a 90-87 lead.
- The Bobcats came back, tying the score at 92 before taking a 95-92 lead.
- Elston hit a pair of free throws, bringing King to within 95-94, but the Bobcats would start to pull away, taking a 102-94 lead with 42 seconds remaining.
- Akal drilled another three with 20 seconds left, keeping the Tornado alive, but the Bobcats were able to hang on to escape with the win.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Akal set a new career-high with 36 points, with seven rebounds, two assists and a pair of steals.
- Pocknett finished with 15 points, while Elston scored 13, Cullen finished with 11 and Satchel Love scored 10.
FOR THE FOES
- Rodney Smith scored 30 points to lead the Bobcats, one of four to score in double figures.
- Nico Ashley led the way with eight rebounds, with three pulling five rebounds each.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Both teams now turn their attention to the Conference Carolinas tournament, and will await the official bracket announcement later tonight.
