YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. –
Jordan Akal scored 29 points Wednesday night as the King University men's basketball team narrowly fell on the road, 82-80 to Young Harris. King had a total of three score in double figures on the night.
THE BASICS
FINAL: Young Harris 82, King 80
LOCATION: The Harp Recreation and Convocation Center; Young Harris, Ga.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
- After Young Harris took an early 6-2 lead, the Tornado scored five straight to take a 7-2 lead five minutes into the game.
- The Mountain Lions took an 18-12 lead with 9:32 left before Akal and Cam George hit consecutive threes, tying the score at 18.
- After a 7-1 Young Harris run saw them take a 25-19 lead with 5:24 left, The Tornado scored the next six points, pulling even at 25.
- King scored the final six points of the half, including a buzzer beating three by Akal to give the Tornado a 35-31 lead heading into the break.
Second Half
- King scored eight of the first 10 points, with an Akal jumper giving King their largest lead of the game to that point, 43-33 with 18:24 left.
- After Young Harris scored five straight, Akal and Seth Cullen hit back-to-back threes, putting the Tornado in front 49-38 with 17:09 to play.
- After the Mountain Lions pulled to within 54-50, Akal was fouled while shooting a three. He then converted all three free throws, after which Mikhail Pocknett hit a layup to make it a 59-52 Tornado advantage.
- Jalen Royster hit a three with 8:10 left, followed a short time later by a dunk from Abdel-Majid Dylan Gory that made it a 69-58 lead.
- The Mountain Lions finished on a 12-6 scoring run over the final four minutes, with a last second heave from Akal coming up short as Young Harris escaped with a win.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Aside from Akal's 29 points, Royster finished with 19, while Pocknett scored 15 on the game.
- Royster also had a team-best eight rebounds, while Pocknett had five assists, three steals and a pair of blocks.
FOR THE FOES
- Karl Chavis finished with 35 points, going 11-of-15 from the free throw line.
- Carl Cleveland had a game-high 17 rebounds, 13 of which came on the defensive glass.
UP NEXT
- King will close the regular season Feb. 26 when they host Converse.
