DECEMBER 10, 2014

KING'S COLLEGE MEN'S BASKETBALL SET TO HOST FNCB BANK MONARCH CLASSIC ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY

WILKES-BARRE, PA --- The King's College men's basketball team will host the First National Community Bank (FNCB) / Monarch Classic on Friday and Saturday at Scandlon Gymnasium. The Tournament opens on Friday night with Wilkes University taking on Susquehanna University at 6:00 p.m. and then King's will play Gwynedd Mercy University at 8:00 p.m.

Saturday's action will consist of Wilkes taking on Gwynedd Mercy at 1:00 p.m. and King's facing Susquehanna at 3:00 p.m. King's game against Susquehanna will be the second time the teams have met this season. Susquehanna won the first meeting 67-45 in the championship game of the Pepsi Tip-Off Tournament at Susquehanna back on November 22^nd.

Tickets prices are set at $5 for adults, $2 for seniors and non-King's students. King's students and employees will be admitted free with presentation of King's ID. Information regarding the Tournament including directions to Scandlon Gymnasium and hotel and restaurant information can be found HERE.

Fans unable to attend can follow all games on Live Stats at:
http://www.sidearmstats.com/kings/mbball/

King's enters Friday's contest with a 5-2 overall record and 1-1 mark in Freedom Conference play after defeating FDU-Florham 64-62 last Saturday. The Monarchs are averaging 65.1 points per game while allowing 59.9. Dan Rutecki leads the offense with 15.9 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. Chris Fazzini averages 11.6 points and 3.6 rebounds a game while Dan Borner has posted 7.6 points and 4.4 rebounds a game.  Tom Heston has tallied 4.9 points and 6.0 rebounds a game while John Fazzini averages 4.9 points and 3.4 rebounds a game. Nate Oliver is averaging 7.4 points a game off the bench shooting 44.4 percent from beyond the three-point line. The Monarchs are out rebounding their opponents 271 to 255 and are forcing 17.1 turnovers a game while only committing 15.9.

Gwynedd Mercy comes into Friday's matchup with 5-3 overall record and 2-1 mark in CSAC play after dropping a 103-98 overtime decision to Rosemont College last Saturday. The Griffins offense is producing 87.1 points per game while the defense is only allowing 71.6. Arron Goodman is the team's leading scorer averaging 17.9 points per game with 6.9 rebounds. Cedric Elleby has posted 13.1 points and 6.8 rebounds while Julian Hyden has tallied 13.0 points and 6.9 rebounds a game. Darnell Artis has tallied 9.0 points, 3.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game while Justin Knight has posted 8.4 points and 4.4 rebounds a game. Seth Heinicke (10.5 points and 3.6 rebounds a game) and Brian Hennessey (9.6 points and 2.1 rebounds a game) have given the Griffins good production coming off the bench. The Griffins are out rebounding their opponents 337 to 256 this season and are forcing 16.3 turnovers a game while committing 17.1.

Susquehanna enters Friday's game with a 5-1 overall record and 1-1 mark in Landmark play after defeating USMMA 78-75 in overtime last Saturday. The Crusaders are scoring 78.2 points per game while allowing just 62.5. Steven Weidlich leads the team with 13.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. Matt McGugan has posted 11.7 points and 5.7 rebounds a game while Josh Miller has tallied 9.2 points and 5.5 rebounds a game. Brandon Hedley has posted 8.2 points and 3.8 assists a game while Danny Weiss has tallied 7.7 points and 3.3 rebounds a game. Jason Dietrich (8.3 points and 4.0 rebounds) and Ryan Traub (7.0 points and 5.7 rebounds) have given the Crusaders good production coming off the bench. The Crusaders are out rebounding their opponents 281 to 213 and are forcing 14.2 turnovers a game while only committing 13.5.

Wilkes comes into Friday's game with a 6-1 overall record and 2-0 mark in Freedom play after defeating Manhattanville College 68-63 last Saturday. The Colonels are averaging 75.6 points per game while only giving up 68.7. Steve Stravinski leads the team with 19.0 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. Alec Wizar has scored 16.9 points per game while Zachary Brunner has posted 11.6 points and 7.7 rebounds a game. Tyler Jackson has tallied 7.7 points, 3.5 assists, and 3.2 rebounds a game while Cameron Hinkel has posted 5.7 points, 3.8 assists, and 7.8 rebounds a game. Collin Farnham has averaged 7.8 points per game coming off the bench. The Colonels are out rebounding their opponents 280-211 and are forcing 16.4 turnovers per game while only committing 12.7.