Central, SC – Southern Wesleyan fell to the King Tornado on Saturday afternoon in a 91-82 final score.
The Warriors shot 38.5% from the field and went 25.8% from beyond the arc in the loss to the Tornado. Valdy Zephir led the team as he went 8-14 from the field and totaled 24 points. He was followed by Jaquay Randolph with 19 points and Will Little with 12 points. The Warriors had nine assists in the game. Josh Parker led the team with six.
Southern Wesleyan collected 39 rebounds. Jaquay Randolph picked up another double-double game as he had 19 boards. He went on to also have the lone block of the game for the Warriors. Will Little and Malachi Cooper had the Warriors' only steals.
Game Vitals
Final: King 91, Southern Wesleyan 82
Records: Southern Wesleyan (4-10 / CC 2-6) King (5-9 / CC 3-3)
How It Happened
The Tornado charged out of the gates as Xavier Betancourt and Jordan Akal hit back-to-back three pointers. A three pointer by Valdy Zephir put the Warriors on the board, but the Tornado maintained the pressure as Betancourt hit another three. Southern Wesleyan stayed within four points of the Tornado as both Bobby Taylor and Jaquay Randolph laid the ball up into the basket. King would not relent as a layup by Eli Elston put them ahead by eight with just under fourteen minutes left in the first half. Will Little laid the ball up into the basket and was fouled in the process to earn the and-one. A layup by Randolph put the Warriors back within six points, but the Tornado would not relent as Akal got up another layup. Valdy Zephir collected a pass by Malachi Cooper and stepped outside of the arc to knock down a three pointer. Southern Wesleyan went on a seven point run spearheaded by a layup by Little to come to within three. King led 44-41 going into the locker room.
King regained their five point lead early in the second half as Lenier Pocknett put up a mid-range jump shot. The Warriors fought on as Valdy Zephir laid the ball up and then Josh Parker put up a mid-range jump shot. With just over fifteen minutes left in the game, Parker sent the ball out to Kenyon Addie. Addie quickly got the ball up for a three pointer to cut the Tornado lead down to 51-50. Jaquay Randolph laid the ball up and was fouled in the process to earn the and-one basket. Mica Merriman put up a three pointer for the Tornado, but Malachi Cooper countered with a three pointer of his own to keep Southern Wesleyan within striking distance. A three pointer by Xavier Betancourt pushed the Tornado lead back to six, but the Warriors fought back as back-to-back three pointers by Jaquay Randolph and Will Little tied the game up. The tie was short lived as Petar Mijatovic put the ball up into the basket off a rebound. King went on to win the game in a 91-82 final score.
What's Next
Southern Wesleyan host Mid Atlantic Christian in non-conference action on January 12. They will then travel up to Ferrum, VA to take on the Ferrum Panthers. The Warriors will return to Central, SC on January 21 as they host the Shorter Hawks.
