FLORENCE, S.C. – Four members of the King University women's basketball team scored in double figures Saturday afternoon, but the Tornado fell on the road to Francis Marion, despite taking an early lead.
THE BASICS
FINAL: Francis Marion 65, King 54
LOCATION: Smith University Center; Florence, S.C.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Period
- Le'Aije Ellington hit the first bucket of the game just 32 seconds in, but the Patriots took a 4-2 lead with 8:29 left.
- King then went on a 12-0 scoring run, taking a 14-4 lead, forcing a Francis Marion timeout.
- The Patriots got to within 14-10, but buckets from Sarah Thompson and Ashley Allen gave King an 18-13 lead after the first quarter.
Second Period
- Allen hit a free throw to start the quarter, after which Mariya Williams pulled a defensive rebound, and hit the turn around jumper on the other end to stretch the King lead to 21-13 with 8:53 to play until halftime.
- Francis Marion was able to get to within three points at 23-20 with 3:34 left to play, but King scored the final four points of the half, including a pair of free throws from Jaelyn West to take a 27-20 lead into halftime.
Third Period
- The Patriots scored the first four points, before Thompson hit a three to make it a 30-24 King lead.
- After Francis Marion hit a three with 5:09 left to take a 35-33 lead, they finished the quarter on a 12-5 scoring run, taking a 47-36 lead into the fourth quarter.
Fourth Period
- Francis Marion took a 52-38 lead with 7:51 left, but on the next possession Williams hit a layup, which started a quick 6-0 Tornado scoring run, pulling to within 52-44 with 5:18 left.
- After the Patriots took a 65-48 lead with 1:30 left, Williams scored the final six points off two old-fashioned three-point plays to make the final score 65-54.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Williams finished with 15 points, one of four Tornado to score in double figures, along with Thompson (14), Allen (12) and West (11).
- Allen finished with a double-double, scoring 12 points and pulling 12 rebounds, her second of the season and first since Nov. 10 against Lincoln Memorial.
FOR THE FOES
- Kiara Croskey and Kennedi Simmons both scored 16 points to lead all scorers, with Croskey also leading the team in assists (4) and steals (4).
UP NEXT
- The Tornado will host North Greenville on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.
