Central, SC – Southern Wesleyan dropped their first Conference Carolinas match-up of 2020 to the King Tornado in a 79-50 final score.

The Warriors shot 29.3% from the field in the loss to the Tornado.  Emily Waters led the team with 11 points.  She was followed by Denisha Hall with nine points.  Lisana Burnett put up three of the Warriors eight assists.

Southern Wesleyan recorded 36 rebounds with Emily Waters leading the team with six.  Lisana Burnett recorded seven steals during the game.  Waters and Madi Hartgrove each had blocks during the game.

Game Vtials

Final: King 79, Southern Wesleyan 50

Records: Southern Wesleyan (1-11 / CC 1-5) King (6-6 / CC 3-3)

Coach Davis says…

"Hard to see how our team played this evening.  Our preparation from a mental and physical standpoint was nowhere near the level of what King showed up with.  What I told our team tonight was that whatever you are invested into in your life, deserves you putting in the work to make yourself successful.  In a team sport if you better yourself with a team first mindset, you will grow and develop, along with making your team better.  It does not matter to me what our record is, what matters to me are the hearts and minds of the young ladies I coach."

How It Happened

Tornado struck first as Trinity Lee made a layup and Kiki Samsel sunk a 3-point shot to put King on top 5-0.  Emily Waters allowed the Warriors to get on the board, but back-to-back three point shots allowed King to push their lead to 13-2.  Southern Wesleyan challenged back with a layup by Waters and a 3-pointer by Brooke Henricks to put the Warriors down 15-7.

King went on an eight point run to kick-off the second quarter before a 3-point shot by Denisha Hall put the Warriors on the board.  Back-to-back layups by Lisana Burnett put Southern Wesleyan down 17-39.  The Tornado continued to push ahead, taking a thirty point lead over the Warriors going into halftime.

Kiki Samsel kicked off the third quarter for King, sinking a three point shot to give them a 55-22 point advantage over Southern Wesleyan.  Despite being behind, the Warriors continued to fight as Tanayja Willims and Diamond Ellison each made three point shots.  Southern Wesleyan would not be discouraged as Brooke Henricks and Caroline Reese each hit three pointers.

Southern Wesleyan put up a fight in the fourth quarter as Liana Burnett made a layup to keep the Warriors at 77-37 behind King.  The Warriors continued to battle with layups by Denisha Hall and Emily Waters.  The late rally was not enough as the Warriors dropped the game to the Tornado in a 79-50.

What's Next

Southern Wesleyan will remain at home on January 8 as they host the Converse Valkyries at 2 p.m.  They will then travel to Tigerville, SC to take on the North Greenville Crusaders on January 8.  The Warriors will remain on the road on January 11 as they take on the Belmont Abbey Crusaders at 5:30 p.m.