BANNER ELK, N.C. – King's Eli Elston hit the go-ahead three-pointer with 25 seconds remaining as the Tornado picked up the 93-91 victory over Lees-McRae men's basketball this evening. The Bobcats had five scorers in double figures on the night as
Rodney Smith had a game-high 22 points.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: King – 93; Lees-McRae – 91
LOCATION: McNair & Debi Tornow Court – Banner Elk, North Carolina
RECORDS: King (6-14/3-8); Lees-McRae (12-8/6-5)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- King jumped out to an early 4-0 lead and held the 8-2 advantage with 16:33 to play in the first half. The Bobcats battled back with six straight points capped by a fastbreak layup from Ja'Quavian Florence.
- The Tornado built their lead to seven points after two free throws from Mikhail Pocknett, but Lees-McRae cut into King's lead and held their first lead at 29-28 after a three from Smith.
- The two sides traded baskets throughout the remaining 6:27 of the first half as King held the slim two-point margin at the break.
- Timon Jones buried a three at the 17:54 mark of the second half to give the Bobcats the one-point edge and Nico Ashley had a fastbreak dunk to give Lees-McRae the 55-52 lead.
- King continued to press and regained the advantage once agains at 62-61 off a jumper by Amarius Beasley. Jalen Crowder knocked down back-to-back threes to tilt the advantage back in favor of the Bobcats at 72-69, but the Tornado had an answer once again.
- The Tornado regained the lead at 80-79 with 5:05 remaining in the second half and took a five-point advantage with 2:52 left. Ja'Quavian Florence connected on a three 30 seconds later to cut the deficit to two points at 87-85.
- The Bobcats knotted the score at 89-89 with a layup from Smith, but King's Elston hit the go-ahead three with 25 seconds left. The Bobcats by one after an Ashley dunk at 92-91 and King's Jordan Akal hit one of two free throws for the two-point advantage at 93-91. Smith had an opportunity at the buzzer, but Lees-McRae fell to the Tornado, 93-91, on Tuesday evening.
- Smith went 5-13 from the field to lead the Bobcats with 22 points in 30 minutes of action. Smith added four assists and four rebounds in the effort. Ashley followed with 17 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks and Jaylin Stewart had 16 points on 6-8 shooting. Florence joined his teammates in double figures with 13 points and collected five rebounds and four assists. Timon Jones had 11 points to round out the Bobcats in double figures.
FOR THE TORNADO:
- Kenny Turner led five King players in double-digit scoring with 19 points and recorded a double-double with 10 boards. Mikhail Pocknett followed with 18 on 10-14 from the free-throw line. Seth Cullen (15), Elson (14), and Jordan Akal (10) joined Pocknett and Turner in double-digit scoring.
UP NEXT:
Lees-McRae men's basketball plays Conference Carolinas newcomer Young Harris on Saturday, Feb. 3 at 4 p.m. on the McNair & Debi Tornow Court.
For more information on Lees-McRae Athletics, follow the Bobcats on X (@LMCBobcats), on Facebook (Lees-McRae Athletics), and on Instagram (leesmcraeathletics).
