BRISTOL, Tenn. – The King University women's basketball team caught fire in the fourth quarter Wednesday night, rallying for an 86-78 win over rival Lees-McRae College in the regular season finale for both teams.
Brianna Dunbar had a career-high 25 points for the Tornado.
THE BASICS
FINAL: King 86, Lees-McRae 78
LOCATION: Student Center Complex; Bristol, Tenn.
RECORDS: King 3-25, 2-16 Conference Carolinas; Lees-McRae 2-21, 1-17 Conference Carolinas
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Period
- It was a flurry of scoring early, as the Tornado got early buckets from Alexa Gramann and Ashley Phillip before Dunbar hit a three, putting King in front 7-2 with 8:25 to play.
- Dunbar hit another three with 6:44 left, with Alayna Smith adding a layup a short time later to push the King lead to 12-4.
- The Tornado took a 19-10 lead with 1:42 to play after Gramann hit a pair of free throws, but the Bobcats finished the quarter on a 5-1 scoring run, cutting the lead to 20-15 after the first quarter.
Second Period
- The Bobcats pulled to within two in the first 90 seconds, before Gramann and Dunbar hit consecutive jumpers, stretching the lead to 24-18.
- After hitting a pair of free throws, Dunbar hit a jumper with 6:31 left to play, pushing the King lead to 28-20.
- Lees-McRae went on to close the half on a 10-4 scoring run, trimming the lead to 32-30 entering halftime.
Third Period
- Gramann hit a layup 10 seconds into the quarter, after which the Bobcats scored the next seven points, taking a 37-34 lead with 8:12 remaining
- Lees-McRae then went on a 9-3 scoring run, extending their lead to 46-39.
- Phillip hit a free throw with 3:10 left, after which Jaelyn West drilled a three, pulling King to within 48-45.
- The Bobcats closed the quarter scoring 10 of the final 15 points, taking a 58-50 lead to the final quarter.
Fourth Period
- King scored six of the first eight points, pulling to within 60-56 on a Dunbar jumper with 7:30 left.
- After the Bobcats hit a pair of free throws, Dunbar and Smith both hit a pair, trimming the lead to 62-60.
- The Tornado tied the game with 5:55 left before Smith hit a layup to put King in front, 64-62.
- King then went on a 13-7 scoring run, taking a 77-69 lead with 2:22 remaining.
- The Tornado wouldn't relinquish the lead, holding on for an 86-78 win.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Dunbar finished with a career-high 25 points, shooting 8-for-14 from the field on the night.
- Gramann finished with a double-double at 20 points and 11 rebounds, with Smith pulling a game-high 16 rebounds on the night.
FOR THE FOES
- Kirsten Watt scored 16 points, one of four Bobcats to finish in double figures. She was joined by Emily Barr (15), Nadiya Hairston (13) and Logan Dutka (11).
- Thailand Smith had nine rebounds, with Dutka adding eight.
UP NEXT
- Both teams will now wait for the announcement of the Conference Carolinas Women's Basketball Championship, which is scheduled for later tonight.
