Box Score
DECEMBER 7, 2012

KING'S CAGERS POST 66-48 WIN OVER CENTRAL PENN IN PNC CLASSIC OPENER

WILKES-BARRE — Kyle Hammonds scored 20 points and the King's College defense held visiting Central Penn College to nearly 46 points under its per-game average as the Monarchs posted a 66-48 victory in the opening round of the PNC/Monarch Classic Friday night in Scandlon Gymnasium.

With the win, Kings improved to 5-3 on the year while Central Penn fell to 8-4.

Central Penn used its superior athletic ability in the early going to force five Monarch turnovers over the opening five minutes to build a 11-5 lead, Buts the Monarchs settled down and slowly assumed control. After tying the game at 11-11 at the 13:46 mark, the Monarchs used a lay-up by Joe Caffrey, a three-pointer from Matt Fiorino and back-to-back buckets from Keyton Winder and Tim O'Shea to build a 20-13 lead with 7:52 left in the half.

After a Central Penn basket by Connor Arnold, with 6:39 on the clock to bring the score to 20-15, the Monarchs used a 12-3 run to push the lead to 32-18  with 1:25 on the clock following baskets by Hammonds and Winder. King's would eventually take a 32-22 lead into the half.

In the second half the Monarchs maintained a double-digit lead until the 12:04 mark when Devon Dorsey capped a 5-0 spurt to draw the Knights to within 45-36. But the Monarchs regained their composure and countered by outscoring Central Penn 21-6 over the next 3:36 nine minutes to build a 66-42 advantage with 3:36 to play.

Hammonds made 8-of-14 from the field, including two three-pointers, while adding six rebounds and three steals. Fiorino tallied 13 points with four three-pointers while Winder contributed eight points. Tom Heston posted seven points and nine rebounds while Ian Oakley chipped in with two points, eight rebounds, and five assists.

Connor Arnold led Central Penn with 12 points and five steals while Wes Kirkland followed with 10 points and five boards. Will Kirkland chipped in with four points and eight rebounds.

Central Penn entered the game with a 94.1 points per-game average but were held far below its average as the Monarchs were able to force the Knights out of their fast-paced style of play and into shooting 26.7 (16-60) percent from the field. King's also won the rebounding battle by a 45-36 margin.

The event concludes Saturday with Wilkes facing Central Penn at 1:00 p.m. and the Monarchs meeting Susquehanna at 3:00 p.m.