Women's Basketball Loses to King

BRISTOL, Va. - The Mars Hill women's basketball team opened the season with a 74-58 loss to King on Friday night in the Student Center Complex. King improves to 1-0 while Mars Hill drops to 0-1.

Paige Chavis led the Lions with 12 points, followed by Genice Lane and Katie Stevens with eight points. Lane and Cadence Wilmoth pulled down seven rebounds each.

Arnelle Collins led King with 16 points, followed by Chelsea Bowling with 12 and Bonnie Durrett with 11 points. Durrett had a game-high 14 rebounds.

The Tornado jumped out to a 9-3 lead to start the game before Mars Hill pulled to within three, 13-10, with 10:29 to go in the frame. Following a Chavis layup that cut the King lead to one, 17-16, the hosts went on a 14-0 lead for a 31-16 lead with just over five minutes to play in the opening half. King lead by as many as 17 before a pair of Camille Glymph free throws sent the Lions into halftime within nine, 39-30.

Mars Hill pulled to within four points, 41-37, following a pair of Wilmoth free throws with 16:11 remaining. King answered with a 12-1 run, enjoying a 53-38 lead with just under 13 minutes to play. The Lions pulled to within 13, 71-58, following a Chavis layup with 2:32 remaining but would get no closer.

King shot 41.9 percent compared to 32.3 percent for the Lions. The Tornado outrebounded Mars Hill 46-42 and scored 20 points off of Lion turnovers.

Mars Hill continues the SAC/Conference Carolinas Challenge tomorrow afternoon against Lees-McRae at 2 p.m.