WILSON, N.C. – The King University women's basketball team battled throughout Saturday afternoon's matchup but came up short against a strong Barton squad, falling 71–61 inside Wilson Gymnasium. The Tornado dropped to 8–11 overall and 5–7 in Conference Carolinas play, while the Bulldogs improved to 14–8 (10–4 Conference Carolinas).
Game Flow
Barton opened the game with sharp perimeter shooting, taking a 22–16 first-quarter lead behind five made threes. King kept pace early with four triples of its own, including two from
Aliyah Hawkins, but the Bulldogs' efficiency allowed them to control the tempo.
The Tornado tightened defensively in the second quarter, holding Barton to 15 points, but struggled to convert consistently on the offensive end.
Emma Larios and
Mary Elizabeth Fox each connected from deep, yet Barton carried a 37–29 advantage into halftime.
King showed renewed energy coming out of the break. Larios sparked the offense with a pair of threes, and
Alayna Smith attacked the paint to help the Tornado score 15 in the period. However, Barton's interior presence and second-chance scoring kept the margin steady, as the Bulldogs extended their lead to 56–44 entering the fourth.
The Tornado continued to fight in the final quarter, with Hawkins facilitating the offense and Larios adding key baskets, but Barton's balance and rebounding held firm. Despite a late push from King, the Bulldogs maintained control down the stretch to secure the home victory.
King Highlights
- Aliyah Hawkins led King with 16 points, 8 assists, and 6 rebounds in a full 40-minute effort.
- Emma Larios added 16 points on 5-for-8 shooting, including three made threes.
- Alayna Smith posted 9 points, 4 rebounds, and went 5-for-6 at the line.
- Mary Elizabeth Fox contributed 7 points and 5 rebounds.
- Jaelyn West added 6 points and 4 rebounds.
- King shot 37.7 percent from the field and made 9 three-pointers.
Key Stats
| Category |
King |
Barton |
| Rebounds |
31 |
44 |
| Points in the Paint |
20 |
30 |
| Points off Turnovers |
10 |
22 |
| Second-Chance Points |
6 |
12 |
| Bench Points |
19 |
14 |
| Fast Break Points |
2 |
13 |
| Three-Pointers |
9 |
9 |
Barton's rebounding advantage and ability to convert turnovers into points created separation, while King's perimeter shooting kept the Tornado within striking distance throughout the afternoon.
Conclusion
Despite the loss, King showed stretches of strong offensive execution, highlighted by Hawkins' playmaking and Larios' efficient scoring. The Tornado battled on the road against one of the league's top teams but were ultimately undone by Barton's rebounding, second-chance scoring, and defensive pressure.
Next Game
The Tornado returns to action on Tuesday, traveling to Converse for a 5:00 p.m. matchup.
