BRISTOL, Tenn. – The King University women's basketball team rallied from an early deficit, but were unable to complete it, dropping their home opener 69-60 to Limestone University Friday night.
THE BASICS
FINAL: Limestone 69, King 60
LOCATION: Student Center Complex; Bristol, Tenn.
RECORDS: King 0-1; Limestone 1-0
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Period
- Limestone was on fire early, going 5-of-6 from the field to take an early 14-0 lead over the Tornado.
- It took over seven minutes for the Tornado to score, with Ashley Phillip hitting a layup to get the Tornado on the board with 2:39 to play in the quarter.
- Le'Aije Ellington hit a layup with 1:40 to play, bringing King to within 18-4, which would stand as the final score of the period.
Second Period
- The Tornado started the second period strong, with Allen hitting a layup at the 9:18 mark, which after Limestone scored, was followed by Morgan Bone hitting a jumper, making the score 20-8 with 8:29 left until halftime.
- Limestone was able to extend the lead, stretching it to 28-12 with just under five minutes to play.
- After the Saints extended their advantage to 34-14, the Tornado started to rally in the final minute, scoring seven of the final nine points, including a three-pointer by Ellington.
- Jaelyn West closed the half with a driving layup to put the score at 36-21 Limestone entering halftime.
Third Period
- King picked up right where they left off prior to the break, scoring the first four points to pull to within 36-26 with under six minutes to play.
- The Saints then went on a 5-0 scoring run, taking a 41-26 lead heading into a timeout on the floor with 4:43 remaining in the quarter.
- After both teams traded three-point baskets, King would hit a pair from the free throw line, pulling themselves to within 44-32 with 2:20 remaining.
- The Saints would then hit three free throws in the final minute, taking a 50-35 lead into the final quarter.
Fourth Period
- Ellington started the final quarter with a bang, getting a steal and converting the layup on the other end, hitting the ensuing free throw to pull King within 50-38.
- King continued their scoring run at the free throw line, going 4-for-7 over the next handful of minutes, working their way back to within 50-42.
- The Tornado would continue to stay within 10 points, including with 4:28 to play when West hit a shot, bringing the Tornado to within 56-50.
- Limestone then worked their way back out to a nine point lead to 63-55, extending it to 10 points after hitting a pair of free throws with 1:35 to play.
- The Tornado pulled to within seven with 30 seconds to play, but the Saints held on for a 69-60 win.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Ellington had 14 points on 6-of-14 shooting to lead the Tornado, along with four steals.
- Torey Walker had a team-high eight rebounds, five of which came on the defensive end.
FOR THE FOES
- Reagan Kargo led all scorers, finishing with 27 points and going a perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line.
- Kalisha Hill had a double-double, finishing with 17 points and 12 rebounds.
UP NEXT
- The Tornado will continue the weekend Saturday when they host Lincoln Memorial University in the second game of a doubleheader. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. inside the Student Center.
- Limestone will play at 2 p.m. Saturday inside the Student Center against Converse University.
