WILKES-BARRE, PA (December 16, 2018) -- Visiting Susquehanna University used a 12-2 run midway through the second half to pull away, earning the title in the FNCB Bank Monarch Classic over host King's College in men's basketball play from McGrane Gymnasium Sunday afternoon. 

With the score 51-45 in favor of the River Hawks (6-3) with 11:57 to play in regulation, Susquehanna posted a decisive 12-2 run over 3:31 to open up the game. During the stretch SU shot 5-of-7, lifted by six points from Tournament MVP Dominic Dunn to take a 63-46 advantage. Susquehanna grew its lead up to as much as 22 in earning the victory. 

King's started the game with five straight points to take a 5-0 lead, but the River Hawks responded with the next 12 points to take a 12-5 lead at 15:01 of the first. The Monarchs trimmed the lead down to two with 1:20 to go after a jumper from Jake Pawliczak, but SU pushed the advantage back up to seven at the break after a jumper from Dan Frauenheim just before the buzzer. 

After intermission, the Monarchs inched to within two on a pair of occasions with the latest at 45-43 with 13:44 to play after a jumper from JJ Glinsky. That would be as close as the Monarchs would get though, as SU pulled away for the victory. It was eighth time these two teams have played in the FNCB Bank Monarch Classic, and just the second all-time meeting in the title game. 

Junior Andrew Hudak and Bailey were named to the All-Tournament Team, as Hudak finished Sunday's game with 14 points, eight rebounds and a block in 33 minutes of action. Hudak was 8-of-10 from the free throw line, while connecting on 3-of-6 from the floor. Bailey added eight points, two assists and a steal as well for King's. 

Junior Tyler Millan scored 12 points for the Monarchs as well, and Pawliczak made three of his four shots from the floor for eight points to go with four rebounds. King's shot 40.9 percent (18-44) from the floor and made five of its 13 shots from deep, but 19 turnovers and 15 offensive rebounds by Susquehanna hurt the cause. 

The River Hawks were paced by the 20 points from Dunn, and Fraueheim posted 10 points as well. Seth Callahan had 11 of his 13 points in the first half and Zach Knecht added eight points for SU, which shot 45 percent (9-20) from deep and 46.8 percent overall. The River Hawks won the battle on the glass 41-25, and 19-5 edge in fast break points. 

In the consolation game, Gwynedd Mercy University topped Hartwick College 89-72. GMU's Clayton Wolfe was named to the All-Tournament Team, and was joined by Hartwick's Justin Carruthers. 

The Monarchs will be off for 13 days before hosting the Cross County Challenge, taking on Marywood University Saturday, December 29 at 3 p.m. in McGrane Gymnasium. Prior to that game, Wilkes University and the University of Scranton will battle at 1 p.m. in McGrane Gymnasium.