Bristol, Tenn.- The King University women's basketball team struggled to keep pace with one of the league's top offenses on Tuesday evening, falling 90–59 to Belmont Abbey inside the Student Center Complex. The Tornado dropped to 6–11 overall and 3–7 in Conference Carolinas play, while the Crusaders improved to 15–4 (10–2 Conference Carolinas).
Game Flow
Belmont Abbey wasted no time establishing control, opening the night with a 26–10 first-quarter advantage behind efficient shooting and relentless pressure. King found looks but couldn't convert consistently, while the Crusaders shot 50 percent in the opening frame.
The Tornado defense tightened in the second quarter, holding Belmont Abbey to just 13 points, but King's offense continued to struggle from the perimeter. Despite a pair of threes from
Mary Elizabeth Fox and
Emma Larios, the Crusaders carried a 39–23 lead into halftime.
King showed renewed energy coming out of the break.
Alayna Smith powered a third-quarter push with strong drives and free-throw trips, helping the Tornado score 21 points in the period — their best offensive stretch of the night. However, Belmont Abbey's balanced scoring and transition play kept the margin steady, entering the fourth with a 62–44 advantage.
The Crusaders closed the game with their most dominant quarter, pouring in 28 points on 62.5 percent shooting. King continued to battle, highlighted by a perfect 3-for-3 performance from deep by
Kamiyah Love, but Belmont Abbey's depth and efficiency proved too much down the stretch.
King Highlights
- Alayna Smith led King with 18 points and 8 rebounds, attacking the paint throughout the night.
- Mary Elizabeth Fox added 9 points and a three-pointer while contributing defensively.
- Emma Larios posted 9 points, 4 assists, and a steal in 30 minutes.
- Kamiyah Love provided a spark off the bench, scoring 9 points on three made threes.
- Riley Nelson grabbed 5 rebounds and went 2-for-2 at the line.
- King shot 45.2 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from three.
Key Stats
| Category |
King |
Belmont Abbey |
| Rebounds |
22 |
43 |
| Points in the Paint |
22 |
44 |
| Points off Turnovers |
8 |
33 |
| Second-Chance Points |
6 |
13 |
| Bench Points |
22 |
28 |
| Fast Break Points |
2 |
16 |
| Three-Pointers |
5 |
9 |
Belmont Abbey's ability to convert turnovers into points and dominate the glass created separation early and sustained it throughout the contest.
Conclusion
Despite the loss, King showed stretches of strong offensive execution, particularly in the third quarter, and received meaningful contributions from both starters and reserves. Smith's interior presence, Larios' playmaking, and Love's perimeter shooting highlighted the Tornado effort, but Belmont Abbey's depth, rebounding, and transition scoring ultimately dictated the outcome.
King looks to regroup quickly as they continue their homestand.
Next Game
The Tornado return to action on
Thursday, January 29, hosting Shorter at 5:30 p.m. inside the Student Center Complex.
