BANNER ELK, N.C. – The Lees-McRae College men's basketball team dropped a high-scoring contest to King University Wednesday night by a score of 105-93 at Williams Gymnasium. The loss moves Lees-McRae's record to 14-6 overall and 7-5 in league play.
There was no shortage of offense in the opening 20 minutes of Wednesday's contest. Both teams shot 50 percent or better from the field. The Tornado, however, relied on transition to get easy points as they finished with 23 fast break points in the first half. Lees-McRae turned to its most veteran players for production as the three seniors Jason Saintizaire, Kamil Williams and Jerick Haynes combined for 41 of the team's 49 points. Despite this trio's and the rest of the Bobcats' effort, the Tornado took a slim, 50-49, into the halftime break.
When the two teams returned to the floor for the second half, the Tornado started to build its advantage. King's lead grew to double figures with around 12 minutes to go and then extended it to as many as 17 points with 5:50 to go. The Bobcats did not go away though as they clawed back within six points with 1:52 to go, 97-91. Unfortunately, the Bobcats went 0-for-6 from beyond the arc in the final two minutes, and King knocked down some key free throws to seal the 105-93 victory.
Saintizaire finished the night with a career-high 35 points on a 13-of-18 effort from the field. Williams added 20 points to go along with seven rebounds and six assists. Quay Kimble chipped in 15 points and Haynes was the team's top scorer off the bench with 12 points.
Lees-McRae will be back in action on Saturday when it hosts Belmont Abbey College in another key Conference Carolinas contest. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m.
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