BRISTOL, Tenn. –
MaKayla Smith and
Destiny Johnson both scored in double figures and combined for 11 rebounds, three assists, and two blocks, but it was not enough as host King used a 23-6 run in the second quarter to clinch a 70-47 win over the visiting Bobcats in the "Battle for the Blue Ridge Cup" rivalry game this evening.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: King (Tenn.) – 70; Lees-McRae – 47
LOCATION: Student Center Complex – Bristol, Tennessee
RECORDS: King (Tenn.) (8-5/7-3), Lees-McRae (2-10/2-8)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Smith shot 6 of 14 from the floor and 3 of 4 from the charity stripe to pace the Bobcats in scoring, while Johnson went 5 of 11 from the field to go along with seven rebounds.
- Jala Holloman also chipped in nine points, four rebounds, and five steals.
- Malikah Meyers added six points and four rebounds.
- Lees-McRae sprinted out of the gates by scoring 12 of the first 16 points, but failed to hold momentum as King shot a final three-point field goal to hold a 15-14 lead at the first intermission.
- The Tornado continued on their run by scoring 23 of the 29 points in the second 10 minutes to take a 38-20 lead at halftime.
- After King extended the lead to 56-30 at the final intermission, the Bobcats outscored the hosts 17-14 in the final frame, but it was not enough as King clinched the conference win.
- Lees-McRae held a 26-16 advantage in points in the painted area, while the Tornado forced 20 Bobcat turnovers in the contest.
FOR THE FOES:
- Four Tornado players scored in double figures, led by Ryleigh Fritz with a game-high 19 points to go along with four rebounds.
NOTEWORTHY:
- With the win tonight, King earns another point in the season-long "Battle for the Blue Ridge Cup" competition against the Bobcats.
UP NEXT:
The Bobcat will return to the Williams Gymnasium on Thursday, Jan. 27 as they host Converse for a 5 p.m. Conference Carolinas showdown.
For more information on Lees-McRae Athletics, follow the Bobcats on Twitter (@LMCBobcats), on Facebook (Lees-McRae Athletics), and on Instagram (leesmcraeathletics).
