BRISTOL, Tenn. — In a fast-paced, back-and-forth Conference Carolinas showdown, the King University men's basketball team came up just short Wednesday night, falling 95–87 to Southern Wesleyan inside the Student Center Complex. King drops to 11–15 overall and 9–9 in league play, while the Warriors improve to 11–13 (8–9 CC). A crowd of 132 witnessed a game featuring 13 ties, six lead changes, and standout individual performances on both sides.
Game Flow
King came out firing, shooting 46.3 percent in the opening half and knocking down eight threes to build a 49–42 halftime lead. The Tornado controlled the tempo early, pushing the pace and attacking the paint to keep Southern Wesleyan on its heels.
But the Warriors flipped the script after the break.
Southern Wesleyan erupted for 53 second-half points, fueled by relentless drives, efficient free-throw shooting, and dominant rebounding. The Warriors shot 55.6 percent in the final 20 minutes and converted 22-of-25 from the line, slowly chipping away at King's lead before pulling ahead in the closing stretch.
Despite a late push from the Tornado, Southern Wesleyan's interior presence and ability to capitalize on second-chance opportunities proved decisive.
King Highlights
King showcased balanced scoring and strong guard play throughout the night:
- Xavier Betancourt delivered a spectacular performance, pouring in 39 points on 17-of-25 shooting, including five threes, while adding 3 steals.
- Jalen Royster added 12 points, all from beyond the arc, and grabbed 3 rebounds.
- Lenier Pocknett contributed 9 points and a team-high 7 rebounds while battling inside.
- Jeremias Berchal posted 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists, providing steady two-way play.
- Petar Mijatovic added 7 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists.
- King's bench chipped in 47 points, giving the Tornado valuable depth and energy.
The Tornado shot 46.8% from the field and 35.7% from three, but struggled at the free-throw line (5-of-16) and were out-rebounded 45–35.
Southern Wesleyan Effort
The Warriors leaned on a powerful inside-out combination that King struggled to contain:
- Jaquay Randolph: 28 points, 13 rebounds, 11-of-15 from the line
- Malachi Cooper: 25 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists
- Josh Parker: 14 points, 8 assists
- Yelnats Zephir: 13 points, 11 rebounds, 3 threes
- Will Little: 9 points, 3 rebounds
Southern Wesleyan shot 47.6% from the field and an impressive 85.7% at the line (30-of-35). Their 21 second-chance points and 22 fast-break points swung the momentum in their favor.
Key Stats
| Category |
Southern Wesleyan |
King |
| Field Goal % |
47.6% |
46.8% |
| Three-Point % |
31.3% |
35.7% |
| Free Throw % |
85.7% |
31.3% |
| Rebounds |
45 |
35 |
| Bench Points |
6 |
47 |
| Fast-Break Points |
22 |
28 |
| Points in the Paint |
44 |
48 |
| Points off Turnovers |
10 |
23 |
Conclusion
King delivered strong offensive stretches and a massive scoring night from Betancourt, but Southern Wesleyan's second-half surge and dominance on the glass proved too much to overcome. The Tornado showed flashes of high-level play, yet the Warriors' efficiency at the line and ability to convert second-chance opportunities ultimately made the difference.
Next Game
King returns to action on
Saturday, February 21, traveling to
Mount Olive for a 6:00 p.m. matchup in Mount Olive, N.C.
