WILKES-BARRE, PA (November 19, 2018) -- Senior forward James Willis made 11 of his 14 field goals Monday evening, pouring in a career-best 30 points as the King's College men's basketball team earned its first win of the season with a 115-70 victory over Clarks Summit University in non-league action from McGrane Gymnasium.

The 30 points for a King's player was the most since Tom Heston scored 31 points in a 81-71 win over FDU-Florham back on December 5, 2015, while the 115 points scored on Monday evening were the third-most ever and the highest scoring output since King's hung 128 points on now Division I Marist College back in 1967. 

Thing's didn't start out well for the Monarchs though as the visitors took an 8-4 lead at 14:38 of the opening half after a Dennis Gray, Jr. jumper. Following a timeout by the Monarchs, King's went on a huge 23-3 run over the next 4:39 of the game as the Monarchs shot 10-of-14 during the spurt. Junior Josh Bailey was the catalyst as he had six points in the stretch along with two steals an a pair of assists. 

King's would build its lead over the final 7:04 of the first half to 51-27, as the Monarchs knocked down 8-of-14 while Willis had 11 of the final 19 points of the half for King's. The Monarchs shot 52.4 percent in the first stanza, making 18 of their 26 shots from inside the arc. The defensive intensity was what started the run for King's, as it forced Clarks Summit (0-6) into 18 first-half turnovers. 

Thing's wouldn't fare much better for the visitors in the second half, as King's scored 64 points in the second stanza including hitting on 8-of-16 from behind the arc to pull away for the huge win. King's led by 46 at one point in the closing period, as 41 of the teams 64 points in the second half were off the bench.

Willis would better his previous career-high of 22 points set back against Mount Saint Vincent College November 19, 2016, as he connected on 4-of-5 from deep and all four of his free throw attempts. Willis posted a 1.57 points per minute rate when he was on the floor, nearly double of any other player for King's Monday evening. 

The senior wasn't the only player to enjoy a career-day, as freshman Jake Pawliczak made all eight of his field goals for a career-best 17 points, blocking three shots and adding three steals. Bailey filled the stat sheet on his 21st birthday Monday, as the junior finished with 12 points on 6-of-12 shooting, eight rebounds, six assists and five steals. 

Sophomore Noah Tanner finished with five points and six assists for King's (1-4), while Joe Lonardi finished with six points, seven rebounds and two steals. Freshmen JJ Glinsky and Patrick Galvin each chalked up eight points, and Tyler Millan came off the bench to make all four shots he took en route to a season-high 10 points. Victor Nyanway also scored six points in four minutes, connecting on all four three throws he made. 

The Monarchs set season highs in virtually every offensive statistic, including field goal makes (45), three-point makes (12), free throw percentage (92.9), field goal percentage (54.9) and bench points with 67. King's beat Clarks Summit in transition with 27 fast break points and posted a huge 49 points off turnovers as the Monarchs forced the Defenders into 33 mishaps. 

Marcus Dixon paced Clarks Summit with 18 points, while Reed Plantz and Michael Leak each posted 11 points in the loss. CSU did outrebound King's 40-37, and shot a respectable 46.6 percent from the floor in defeat. 

King's will have the next eight days off before returning to action on the road at Elizabethtown College in non-conference play from Thompson Gymnasium at 7 p.m. in Elizabethtown, PA.