Women's Basketball Falls To King

BRISTOL, TENN. – The Mars Hill women's basketball team dropped a 69-43 decision to King University in the final game of the SAC/Conference Carolinas Challenge on Saturday afternoon. The Tornado used a big second half to blow open what was a close game at the break, dropping the Lions to 1-1 overall, while improving to 2-0 on the young season.

Paige Chavis led the Lions offensively with 13 points, while Madison Ervin chipped in eight points and a team-high seven boards. Mars Hill was outshot by King, 42.9-percent to only 33.9-percent. The Tornado also held a comfortable 43-31 advantage in rebounds.

The Lions came running out the gate with the game's first six points, capped off by Chavis' layup. King followed with an 8-2 run to notch the contest at 8-all with five and a half left to play in the opening quarter. A three pointer by KU with 1:06 remaining gave the home team an 18-15 lead after one.

Quarter two was a seesaw battle that saw the lead swap hands a total of four times. With the score at 25-22 in favor of MHU, King used a 12-2 run to take a 34-27 lead at the intermission.

Ervin scored the first basket to start the second half, but King ran off 12 straight to blow the game open at 46-29. Mars Hill cut into the lead and trailed only 50-37 at the end of the third. However, a dominant 19-6 fourth gave King the easy 69-43 win.

Mars Hill will open the home portion of its schedule on Wednesday, November 16 as it plays host to North Greenville in non-conference action. Tipoff is set to take place at 6 p.m.