MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. — The King University men's basketball team delivered one of its strongest offensive outings of the season Saturday evening, earning a 90–77 road win over Mount Olive inside Kornegay Arena. With the victory, the Tornado improve to 12–15 overall and 10–9 in Conference Carolinas, while the Trojans fall to 9–17 (6–12 CC). A crowd of 150 watched King control the second half and pull away for a key conference win.
Game Flow
King opened the night with efficient shooting, hitting 51.7 percent in the first half to take a narrow 43–41 lead into the break. The Tornado attacked the paint early, scoring 28 first-half points inside and generating 10 fast-break points.
The second half belonged to King. The Tornado shot 58.8 percent from the field after halftime, using strong ball movement and transition play to stretch the lead. A 47-point second half, fueled by 29 fast-break points overall, allowed King to take full control and close out the 90–77 victory.
King Highlights
King's starting lineup powered the win, combining for 73 points and setting the tone on both ends of the floor.
- Jeremias Berchal delivered a dominant performance with 27 points, shooting 12-of-19 from the field while adding 4 assists and 4 rebounds.
- Lenier Pocknett was equally impressive, scoring 23 points on 9-of-12 shooting, grabbing 7 rebounds, and recording 3 steals.
- Eli Elston added 12 points, 3 rebounds, and a block while knocking down a three.
- Jalen Royster filled the stat sheet with 11 points, 6 rebounds, and a team-high 6 assists.
- Mica Merriman provided a spark off the bench with 8 points, including two threes.
- Djae Eason Jr. added 7 points on 3-of-4 shooting.
King shot an impressive 55.6% from the field, 40.0% from three, and scored 54 points in the paint. The Tornado also forced 21 Mount Olive turnovers, converting them into 21 points.
Mount Olive Effort
The Trojans were led by:
- Shawn Wilson: 16 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists
- Shane Peterson: 13 points, 7-for-7 at the free-throw line
- Christian Ananaba: 10 points, 7 rebounds
- Redford Dunton: 10 points
- Jefferson McLamb: 8 points off the bench
Mount Olive shot 38.7% from the field and 25.0% from three, unable to match King's second-half surge.
Key Stats
| Category |
King |
Mount Olive |
| Field Goal % |
55.6% |
38.7% |
| Three-Point % |
40.0% |
25.0% |
| Free Throws |
14-23 |
23-28 |
| Rebounds |
29 |
43 |
| Points in the Paint |
54 |
30 |
| Fast-Break Points |
29 |
10 |
| Points off Turnovers |
21 |
13 |
| Bench Points |
15 |
20 |
Conclusion
King delivered a complete road performance, combining elite efficiency inside the arc with disruptive defense and transition scoring. Berchal and Pocknett led the way, while Royster's playmaking and the bench's timely contributions helped the Tornado secure their 10th conference win of the season.
Up Next
King returns to action on Wednesday, February 25, traveling to North Greenville for a 7:00 p.m. matchup in Tigerville, S.C.
