WILSON, N.C. – The King University men's basketball team ran into a hot-shooting Barton College team on Tuesday night. The Tornado defense couldn't slow down the Barton offense, falling to the Bulldogs 105-79.
THE BASICS
FINAL: Barton 105, King 79
LOCATION: Wilson Gymnasium; Wilson, N.C.
RECORDS: King 2-5, 1-4 Conference Carolinas; Barton 1-3, 1-3 Conference Carolinas
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
- Making his first career start, Darron Howard got the Tornado off to a hot start, scoring seven points as King opened up an 11-6 lead four minutes into the contest.
- However, Barton answered with a 12-0 to take the lead before Blake Atwood drilled a triple for the Tornado.
- King trailed by eight when Atwood made a layup before Isaiah Curry came up with a steal and made a layup.
- Michael Mays then made a pair of free throws to pull the Tornado within 29-27 with seven minutes remaining in the half.
- Two minutes later, Connor Jordan made a pull-up jump shot that cut the King deficit to 31-30, but the Bulldogs had an answer.
- Barton's Matt Elmore made a triple, and Hudson Shemar made a jump shot to extend the lead.
- A 6-0 Barton run gave the Bulldogs separation down the stretch as the opened up a 49-36 advantage and ultimately led 51-39 at the half.
Second Half
- A Howard triple in the opening minutes pulled King within 55-44, but the Bulldogs responded with four straight points, extending their lead to 15 points.
- The Tornado tried to make a run, but Barton had an answer each time as they extended their lead and ultimately took the contest 105-79.
- Barton shot 54.9 percent from the floor while holding King to a 37.9 field goal percentage in the contest.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Curry led five Tornado scorers in double figures with 16 points. He added a team-high eight rebounds.
- Howard added 13 points while Damion Ottman added 12 points and five rebounds.
- Jordan accounted for 12 points and six rebounds, and Atwood chipped in with 10 points.
FOR THE FOES
- Marcus Boykin led six Bulldog scorers in double figures with 22 points to go along with seven rebounds.
- Brandon Burford followed with 18 points and Trevon Spencer chipped in with 16 points.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- The 16 points for Curry sets a career-high, topping his previous best of 10 points.
- Howard also set a career-high with 13 points.
UP NEXT
- The Tornado take to the road again on Saturday when they travel to Erskine College. Tipoff from Due West, S.C. is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.
- Barton hosts the University of Mount Olive on Thursday.
