Bristol, T.N. - Southern Wesleyan pulled through with a strong second half performance to defeat the King Tornado in a 79-73 final on Wednesday evening.

The Warriors shot 42.6% from the field, with Jalen Lowery leading the way and posting 16 points. Clenzo Ross followed with 15, Cameron Holmes with 13, and Solomon Smith with 12 points, respectively. Ross added seven rebounds along with TJ Harvin's five to lead the team under the basket. Ta'Jay Dunlap contributed four assists on the night, while five Warriors had steals. Hunter Davis had the lone block for Southern Wesleyan. 

Game Vitals

Final: Southern Wesleyan 79, King 73

Records: Southern Wesleyan (6-3 / CC 3-0) King (6-3 / CC 1-2)

Coach Pasqua Says...

"Very proud of our players tonight. They stuck together and found a way to win. Very happy for them and proud of the team they are becoming."

How It Happened

Cameron Holmes made the first shot of the contest on Wednesday night followed by another shot of his own to put the Warriors ahead early 5-2. King gained the lead on a made layup from Justin Frazier which gave them the momentum to take an 10-11 lead over the Warriors. Lead possession alternated for several minutes before the Tornado could hold a consistent lead. The Warriors played catch-up but remained on the Tornado's heels with shots from Jalen Lowery, TJ Harvin, and Clenzo Ross. With under four minutes to go in the first half, a 3-pointer from Lowery would put the Warriors within one, trailing 32-33. Tranard Ferrell would get the last shot off of the half, but it was not enough as King led 39-34 at the half.

The second half would start off identical to the first, with Holmes making the first two baskets of the half. The Warriors would go 4 for 4 on 3-pointers in the first five minutes of the second half to take a 46-42 lead. The Tornado was able to pull together a string of points to reclaim the lead. Hunter Davis chipped in a layup to tie the game at 60-60. Solomon Smith and Harvin would contribute to the 68-64 lead the Warriors held over the Tornado in the minutes to come. King pulled within two, but Southern Wesleyan preceded to extend their lead to 74-69 with less than a minute to go in the game. A late jumper from James Brown threatened, but the Warriors escaped with a 79-73 win to maintain the perfect record in conference play.

What's Next

Southern Wesleyan will remain on the road as they travel to play the Limestone Saints on December 14 at 4 p.m. They will then return home on December 18 when they host the Lees-McRae Bobcats at 7:30 p.m.