BRISTOL, Tenn. – The King University men's basketball team rallied from a 21-point deficit in the second half Wednesday, but came up just short, falling to Belmont Abbey College 78-75 despite a double-double from
Mikhail Pocknett.
THE BASICS
FINAL: Belmont Abbey 78, King 75
LOCATION: Student Center Complex; Bristol, Tenn.
RECORDS: King 2-9 0-4 Conference Carolinas; Belmont Abbey 4-9, 3-1 Conference Carolinas
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
- King scored six of the first eight points, including an early three from Seth Cullen, followed by Jordan Akal picking up an old fashioned three-point play to put King ahead 6-2 in the opening minutes.
- The Crusaders then stormed back to take a 12-7 lead before Cam George nailed a step back three, pulling King back to within one possession.
- Coming out of a timeout, Satchel Love hit consecutive layups, putting King back in the lead 14-13.
- Belmont Abbey was on a 14-0 scoring run until Kenny Turner grabbed an offensive rebound, hitting a layup to make the score 31-17 Belmont Abbey.
- The Crusaders scored the final seven points, taking a 40-19 lead into the locker room.
Second Half
- The Tornado scored the first five points, with Amarius Beasley knocking down a three just 22 seconds into the half before Cullen made a pair of free throws.
- After Pocknett hit a layup and the ensuing free throw, Dami Farinloye nailed a three, making the score 45-30.
- The Crusaders were able to hang onto a 15-point lead until the 5:58 mark, when George hit a couple of threes in the span of two minutes, pulling King to 67-54.
- Seven of the next eight points would be scored by King, with five of those coming at the free throw line to pull the Tornado to within 71-61.
- King continued their rally, with Turner hitting an old fashioned three-point play to make the score 75-70 with 41 seconds to play.
- George would hit a jumper, with Beasley adding a three, but the Crusaders would hit a pair of free throws to hang on for the win.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Pocknett recorded his first career double-double, scoring 13 points and pulling 13 rebounds.
- Turner also scored 13, while pulling nine rebounds and handing out a team-high three assists.
FOR THE FOES
- Mason Taylor led all scorers with 20 points and six rebounds, while Wade Jackson and DJ Holloway both had 13 points.
- Darius Kane pulled eight rebounds, seven of which came on the defensive glass. He also led the Crusaders with three assists.
UP NEXT
- King will continue their conference Carolinas homestand Saturday when they host Francis Marion University.
- Belmont Abbey will host Emmanuel Saturday afternoon.
