MONARCHS POST KEY ROAD VICTORY AT DELAWARE VALLEY TO FORGE THREE-WAY TIE FOR THIRD PLACE
DOYLESTOWN, PA – Senior forward Kevin Conroy (left) poured in a game-high 25 points to lead four Monarchs in double figures as King's College posted an important 77-70 road victory at Delaware Valley College Wednesday night in Freedom play.
With the win King's moves to 14-8 overall and more importantly sees its league mark improve to 6-5. Delaware Valley drops to 12-10 overall and also stands 6-5 in conference play. The win moves King's into a three-way tie for third place with both Delaware Valley and Misericordia, but the Monarchs own the season head-head series with the Aggies and still play the Cougars in Scandlon Gymnasium next Tuesday.
King's stormed out to an early 12-4 lead thanks to two scores inside from Conroy, a trey by Matt Fiorino, and a Kyle Hammonds jumper. The lead grew to 22-12 following a layup from Fiorino in transition. The host Aggies answered with a quick 6-0 run late in the half to cut the deficit to one, 22-21, after a Jeremy Beckett jumper. From there the teams' traded baskets heading into the break deadlocked at 27-27.
The Monarchs regained their edge to start the second frame as Conroy scored eight straight points to give King's a 40-35 cushion with 14:54 left. After Delaware Valley's Nate Bollinger tied the game at the free throw line, the Aggies took their first lead of the second half when Bollinger struck from behind the arc, 45-42. The Aggies lead grew to 58-51 with 8:15 on the clock when Beckett hit another jumper from the wing.
King's continued to pound the ball inside to Conroy and the senior found open teammates on the perimeter for quality shots. Kyle Stackhouse, Fiorino, and Hammonds each connected from the perimeter to tie the game at 61 with 6:01 remaining in the game. With the game tied at 68 and just over two minutes left, Fiorino drilled a huge three-pointer to give King's the lead, a lead they would never relinquish. Two free throws by Conroy followed by two more from Nick Reisig sealed the crucial road victory for the Monarchs giving them some breathing room in the crowded Freedom playoff race.
The King's offense was impressive throughout, but it may have been the defense that shined brightest in the win. The Monarchs held the Freedom Conference's leading scorer, James Jones (19.5 ppg), to just 15 points on 4-of-11 shooting. Jones was frustrated throughout as the Monarchs swarmed to keep him off rhythm. Fiorino joined Conroy in double figures with 15 points on 3-for-9 shooting from long range. Hammonds finished with 14 points, while Stackhouse added 13 points, nine rebounds, and five assists. Reisig was relentless on the glass finishing with a career-high 15 rebounds in 37 minutes of action.
Beckett and Chris Ellis led Delaware Valley with 17 points each, while Beckett added 10 rebounds. Bollinger contributed 16 points on three treys. King's held a slim 49-43 advantage on the boards, including 14 crucial offensive rebounds.
King's continues its road test Saturday with a trip to Center Valley, Pa. to face rival DeSales University at 3:00 p.m. The Bulldgos are currently in first place in the Freedom Conference with an 8-3 mark.
KING'S COLLEGE 77, DELAWARE VALLEY 70
KING'S COLLEGE (14-8,6-5 Freedom)
Kevin Conroy 9-18 7-8 25; Matt Fiorino 4-10 4-6 15; Kyle Hammonds 6-14 0-2 14; Kyle Stackhouse 6-11 1-1 13; Nick Reisig 0-5 4-4 4; Joe Caffrey 1-3 0-0 3; Adam Brasky 1-3 0-0 2; Chris Hobson 0-4 1-2 1; Ian Oakley 0-0 0-0 0.Totals 27-68 17-23 77.
DELAWARE VALLEY (12-10,6-5 Freed.)
Chris Ellis 7-21 0-0 17; Jeremy Beckett 8-15 1-3 17; Nathan Bollinger 6-13 1-2 16; James Jones 4-11 7-8 15; Jason Goldheimer 1-3 0-0 3; Cam Lee 1-3 0-0 2; Chris Jermyn 0-2 0-0 0; Nate Lewis 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 27-69 9-13 70.
King's College................ 27 50 - 77
Delaware Valley............... 27 43 - 70
3-point goals--King's College 6-19 (Matt Fiorino 3-9; Kyle Hammonds 2-5; Joe Caffrey 1-2; Nick Reisig 0-3), Delaware Valley 7-31 (Nathan Bollinger 3-9; Chris Ellis 3-9; Jason Goldheimer 1-3; Cam Lee 0-2; Chris Jermyn 0-2; James Jones 0-5; Jeremy Beckett 0-1). Fouled out--King's College-None, Delaware Valley-None. Rebounds--King's College 49 (Nick Reisig 15), Delaware Valley 43 (Jeremy Beckett 10). Assists--King's College 19 (Nick Reisig 5; Kyle Stackhouse 5), Delaware Valley 14 (James Jones 5). Total fouls--King's College 17, Delaware Valley 18. Technical fouls--King's College-None, Delaware Valley-None. A-325
