ROME, Ga. – The King University men's basketball team used a run early in the second half to gain separation from Shorter University in Tuesday's nonconference win. The Tornado shot 50.0 percent from three-point range in their 86-60 victory.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: King 86, Shorter 60
LOCATION: Winthrop-King Centre; Rome, Ga.
RECORDS: King 6-2; Shorter 2-5

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Half

• The Tornado got off to a hot start, opening up a 10-0 lead behind seven points from Kalen Clifton.
• A Tyre Moore Jr. triple and a pair of free throws stretched the King lead to 18-5 lead six minutes in.
• Moore drilled another trifecta, giving the Tornado their largest lead of the half at 24-10.
• However, the Hawks started to chip away at their deficit, starting with an 8-0 run.
• In all, Shorter went on a 14-3 spurt, cutting their deficit to 27-24 with five minutes remaining until halftime.
• King then closed the half on a 13-7 spurt capped by a Desmond Davis layup in the waning seconds to give the Tornado a 40-31 lead at the break.

Second Half

• The Tornado gain separation early in the second half, using an 11-0 run to gain a 59-37 lead.
• Clifton and Mike Salomon drilled triples on the spurt that was closed by a pair of Justin Frazier baskets.
• From there, King cruised to the 86-60 victory, stretching their lead to as many as 28 in the final minutes.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Salomon led King with 20 points, going 6-for-8 from three-point range.
• Clifton followed with 17 points and added eight rebounds.
• Moore chipped in with 15 points, going 5-for-8 from long range.
• King shot a season-best 54.1 percent from the floor, including 50.0 percent from long range.

FOR THE FOES

• Tre Bonner led Shorter with 14 points while Matous Kainc followed with 10 points.

UP NEXT

• King is in action again on Friday when they travel to Clayton State University. Tipoff from Morrow, Ga., is slated for 7:00 p.m.
• Shorter hosts Lee University on Wednesday evening.