BRISTOL, Tenn. –
Michael Mays led all scorers Wednesday night, but his 32-point performance wasn't enough, as the King University men's basketball team dropped a narrow Conference Carolinas game to Belmont Abbey, 83-75.
THE BASICS
FINAL: Belmont Abbey 83, King 75
LOCATION: Student Center Complex; Bristol, Tenn.
RECORDS: King 5-11, 4-6 Conference Carolinas; Belmont Abbey 12-6, 8-2 Conference Carolinas
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
- It took two minutes for either team to score, but the Tornado were able to draw first blood, with Mays hitting a driving layup, which was followed 30 seconds later by Kenny Turner taking a pass from Mays and hitting a turnaround jumper.
- Belmont Abbey tied the game, but Darron Howard knocked down a three with 15:40 left to play to push King ahead, 7-4.
- The back-and-forth would continue until the 7:39 mark, where the Crusaders hit a free throw to kickstart what would turn out to be a 8-0 run that saw the Belmont Abbey lead expand to 24-16 before Mays knocked down a step back jumper.
- Howard hit a three with 3:19 to play, bringing King to within 28-27, but it would be Belmont Abbey who ended the half with momentum, going on a 7-2 run that spanned the remainder of the half, giving them a 35-29 halftime lead.
Second Half
- Coming out of the locker room, it was Turner who got the Tornado going, as on their first possession he hit a driving layup, drew the foul and hit the ensuing free throw to bring King to within 35-32.
- Howard hit a pull up jumper with 17:52 left, making it a one-point game.
- Belmont Abbey then went on a 11-1 run, stretching their lead to 46-36.
- King battled back and tied the game at 54 on a Henry Okoye three, eventually taking the lead when Mays hit a driving layup.
- The Crusaders hit a three with 4:43 left to take a 67-64 lead that they wouldn't relinquish.
- Belmont Abbey would go on to go 5-of-6 from the free throw line in the closing minutes to hang on for an 83-75 victory.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- The 32 points for Mays marks the third time this season he has scored at least 30 points. He went 10-of-11 from the free throw line, while playing 35 of the 40 minutes
- Turner pulled a team-best 12 rebounds, while Jordan Akal had a career-high six rebounds.
FOR THE FOES
- Wade Jackson led the Belmont Abbey offense, scoring 24 points and pulling seven rebounds, all of which were defensive, while also dishing out four assists.
- Charles Solomon scored 11 points and had eight rebounds to lead the Crusaders on the glass.
UP NEXT
- The Tornado will take a brief break from Conference Carolinas action Saturday, when they host Carolina University in a nonconference showdown, with tipoff scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
- Belmont Abbey returns to their home gym Saturday to host North Greenville.
