Bristol, TN – Southern Wesleyan took down the King Tornado on the road in a 95-87 final score on Wednesday evening.
The Warriors shot 47.6% from the field and were 31.3% from beyond the arc in the conference victory. Four players posted double digits with Jaquay Randolph leading the team with 28 points. Malachi Cooper was the next highest Warrior in scoring as he totaled 25 points in the game. Josh Parker (14 points) and Valdy Zephir (13 points) wrapped up the double digit scorers for the Warriors. Of the 11 assists in the game, Parker had eight.
Southern Wesleyan pulled down 45 rebounds in the game. Jaquay Randolph and Valdy Zephir each picked up double-double games as Randolph had 13 boards and Zephir had 11. Randolph, Zephir and Will Little each had blocks. The Warriors stole the ball away three times.
Game Vitals
Final: Southern Wesleyan 95, King 87
Records: Southern Wesleyan (11-13 / CC 8-9) King (11-15 / CC 9-9)
How It Happened
Southern Wesleyan jumped out early as Malachi Cooper and Valdy Zephir knocked down back-to-back three pointers to start the game. Jaquay Randolph slammed the ball into the basket to extend the Warriors lead to eight. A floater by Djae Eason Jr put the Tornado on the board. However, Will Little dunked the ball into the basket seconds later to put the Warriors back ahead by eight. With just over fifteen minutes on the clock, Ashton Williams stole the ball away from the Tornado and went all the way to the basket to lay the ball up and give the Warriors a 14-7 point lead. Southern Wesleyan pressed on as Randolph laid the ball up. However, King started their battle back as Xavier Betancourt hit a three pointer. Betancourt hit another three and then Jeremias Berchal dunked the ball into the basket to put the Tornado within one point of the Warriors. Randolph put up a mid-range, but a three by Betancourt allowed King to tie the game. Will Little and Malachi Cooper each got up layups. Berchel laid the ball up to give King the advantage. However, a couple fouls by the Tornado sent Jaquay Randolph to the charity stripe a couple times to put the Warriors back within one. Josh Parker passed the ball out to Randolph who stepped beyond the arc and hit a three pointer. Southern Wesleyan continued to press as Parker got up a couple baskets. King led 49-42 going into the locker room.
Southern Wesleyan charged out of the gate in the second half as Valdy Zephir collected a pass from Josh Parker and stepped beyond the arc to sink a three pointer. Jaquay Randolph pulled down a defensive rebound then transitioned the ball down to Malachi Cooper. Cooper laid the ball up into the basket to put the warriors back to within two points of the Tornado. Peter Mijatovic fouled Will Little while he was attempting a three pointer to send him to the charity stripe. Little hit each of his shots to give the Warriors a 52-51 point lead. Josh Parker put up a floating jump shot to give the Warriors a three point lead. However, it was short lived as Lenier Pocknett and Xavier Betancourt each got up shots to allow the Tornado to regain the advantage. Jaquay Randolph laid the ball up into the basket, but Betancourt continued to challenge the Warriors as he got up a couple more baskets to extend the Tornado lead to 66-61. However, Randolph laid the ball up into the basket to put the Warriors right back within one. Malachi Cooper tipped the ball right back into the basket off a rebound to give the Warriors a four point lead. Xavier Betancourt would not relent as he continued to challenge the Warriors defense and get up a couple more baskets. With just under five on the clock, Josh Parker laid the ball up. King battled back as a basket by Peter Mijatovic allowed them to tie the game up. The Warriors would not relent as several more free throws allowed Southern Wesleyan to walk away with a 95-87 point victory.
What's Next
Southern Wesleyan will host the Belmont Abbey Crusaders on February 21 at 4pm. They will travel to Florence, SC on February 23 to take on the Francis Marion Patriots. The Warriors will wrap up the regular season on February 25 on the road as they travel to Franklin Springs to take on the Emmanuel Lions.
