Box Score
King's Men's Cagers Post Impressive 101-69 Win Over Penn State-Hazleton Behind Career Night by Hammonds
Wilkes-Barre, Pa.—After being shut out on Saturday junior guard
Kyle Hammonds posted a career-high 36 points to help the King's College men's basketball team to a 101-69 victory over Penn State-Hazleton Monday night at Scandlon Gymnasium.
With 5:47 to play in the first half Miguel Rodriguez scored a layup to put Penn State-Hazleton up 31-27. The Monarchs answered with a 20-5 run to close out the frame including six points from Hammonds to push the lead to 47-36 at the break.
The Monarchs opened the second half like they closed the first jumping out with a 29-14 spurt to extend the lead to 76-48 with 11:13 to play. The Monarch lead would never shrink below 25 the rest of the way.
King's held a 10-8 edge with 14:05 to play in the first half after a Hammonds layup. Penn State-Hazleton used a 10-7 run to take and 18-15 lead. The Monarchs answered with a 12-8 spurt capped by a jumper by
Tim O'Shea to give the Monarchs a 27-26 edge at the 7:02 mark.
The Nittany Lions trailed 27-26 with 7:02 to play in the first half, but Ricky Gil hit a 3-pointer and Miguel Rodriguez netted a layup to give Penn State-Hazleton its largest lead of the game 31-27.
In addition to his 36 points, Hammonds pulled down seven rebounds and dished out four assists. His 36 points is the most since Kevin Conroy tallied 41 on Jan. 10, 2009 against Delaware Valley.
Ian Oakley also posted a career-high for the Monarchs scoring 14 points to go with four boards and three helpers.
Matt Fiorino added 11 points and four rebounds.
Tim O'Shea was the fourth King's player in double figures with 10 points as well as a team-leading eight boards.
Ashkan Naderi led the way for the Nittany Lions with 24 points on 8-of-12 shooting for 3-point range. Dwayne Vines chipped in 14 points and nine rebounds. Colby Major scored 12 points and added three helpers.
The last time the Monarchs posted a 100-point game was Feb. 10, 2012 in a double-overtime game with Carnegie Mellon. Monday was the first time King's scored 100 in a regulation game since a 100-64 victory over John Jay on Jan. 2, 2010.
The Moanrchs return to action on Friday when they host Central Penn College in the opening round of the PNC Monarch Classic at 8:00 p.m. at Scandlon Gymnasium. Wilkes will take on Susquehanna in the opening game at 6:00 p.m.
