MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. – The King University men's basketball team scored the most points since 2022 Saturday afternoon in a 105-87 win over Mount Olive.
Jalen Royster led all scorers with 21 points, while
Jordan Akal had 20 for the Tornado.
THE BASICS
FINAL: King 105, Mount Olive 87
LOCATION: Kornegay Arena; Mount Olive, N.C.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
- The Tornado scored the first 10 points, with Abdel-Majid Dylan Gory scoring four points, as the Tornado went 5-for-10 from the field in the first four minutes.
- After a pair of Mount Olive free throws, Xavier Betancourt hit a layup, after which Royster hit a three to make it a 15-2 Tornado lead.
- Akal hit a driving layup with 14:13 left, kicking off a flurry of scoring that saw 13 points scored over the next minute, including a three by Akal and a layup from Petar Mijatovic to make the score 25-10 in favor of the Tornado.
- Mount Olive was able to pull to within single digits at 28-17, but the Tornado hit consecutive layups, making the score 32-17 with 9:58 left in the half.
- The Trojans pulled to within 10 with 5:09 left, but King finished the half on a 15-10 scoring run, including a three at the buzzer by Akal to take a 53-38 lead into the locker room.
Second Half
- The Trojans scored 13 of the first 15 points of the half, pulling to within 55-51 with 16:56 left to play.
- King was able to hold Mount Olive at bay, with the Trojans pulling to within 60-55 before an 11-5 King scoring run that saw them take a 71-60 lead with 10:56 remaining.
- After Mount Olive hit a jumper, King scored the next seven points, including a three from Mikhail Pocknett that made it a 78-62 lead with 9:38 remaining.
- The Trojans got to within 78-67 with 7:28 left, but thanks in part to a 14-4 run over the next three minutes, the Tornado were able to extend the lead to 92-71.
- Mount Olive was unable to get any closer then 96-82, as King cleared the century mark en route to the 105-87 win.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- This was the most points scored by the Tornado since Jan. 24, 2022 when they scored 109 in a home win over Lees-McRae.
- Royster's 21 points is a new career high, with him being one of five Tornado to score in double figures.
- Pocknett led the Tornado in assists with eight, as well as blocks with two.
FOR THE FOES
- Chase Dawson scored 18 points to lead the Trojans, while Raul Perez had a team-high six rebounds.
- Matt Kirby finished with 13 points and a team-best nine rebounds.
UP NEXT
- The Tornado will take on Blue Ridge Cup rival Lees-McRae Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
