WILKES-BARRE, PA (December 3, 2018) – The King's College men's basketball team will open Middle Athletic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) play on Wednesday as they host Eastern University at 6 p.m. The Monarchs will look to win their second of their last three games and to start strong in conference play.
 
Event Details:
Opponent: vs. Eastern University (5-1, 0-0 MAC Freedom)
Date: Wednesday, December 5, 2018
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Wilkes-Barre, PA – McGrane Gymnasium (Directions)
Live Coverage: (Live Stats) (Live Video) 
 
Last Time Out: King's dropped a non-conference contest last Wednesday to host Elizabethtown College 93-63. The Monarchs received 10 or more points from four different players, led by Noah Tanner's 11. Joe Lonardi recorded 12 rebounds, a career high, and scored 10 points for his first collegiate double-double. However, the Monarchs went just 11-of-26 from the free throw line.
 
The Book on the Monarchs (1-5, 0-0 MAC Freedom)

• The Monarchs were picked sixth of eight teams in the MAC Freedom preseason coaches' poll. They were 6-8 in conference play last year and finished fifth.
• The Monarchs have the fifth-best turnover margin in Division III basketball, as they have averaged 7.50 more takeaways than giveaways. They have also forced 21.83 giveaways per game as a team, which ranks thirteenth in the nation and first in the conference. They also have the second fewest giveaways in the MAC Freedom with 14.33 per contest.
• The Monarchs also lead the MAC Freedom with 67 total steals.
• The Monarchs' 1.01 assist-turnover ratio is fourth best in the MAC Freedom.
• Josh Bailey is third in the MAC Freedom with 2.3 steals per game, while teammate JJ Glinsky is tenth with 1.5 steals per contest.
• King's has registered 12.8 offensive rebounds per game, which is the third most in the MAC Freedom.
• Noah Tanner and James Willis share the team lead with 11.2 points per game.
• Tanner leads the team with 3.0 assists per game.
• First year center Jake Pawliczak is tied for ninth in the MAC Freedom with 6.8 rebounds per game. He recorded a season high 12 rebounds in the Monarchs' loss to Muhlenberg on Nov. 13. He is tied for eighth with 4 total blocked shots this season.

 
The Book on the Eagles (5-1, 0-0 MAC Freedom)

• The Eagles were tabbed to finish fourth of eight teams in the MAC Freedom preseason coaches' poll taken in October.

• The Eagles have been excellent defensively so far this season, as their three point field goal percentage on defense is fifth best in Division III basketball, with just 24.6 percent of opponents' shots going in. They have also given up just 64.8 points per game, which leads the conference and is 13th in the nation.
• The Eagles have outscored their opponents by 13.0 points this season, which is second in the MAC Freedom only to Wilkes.
• The Eagles have also been the most disciplined team so far in the MAC Freedom, as they have averaged just 16.3 personal fouls per game.
• Victor Pena and Darius Washington were first-team all-MAC Freedom selections last year, and Eastern was the only team with two placed on the first-team.
• Darius Washington is in the all-MAC Freedom team conversation early, as he leads the conference (and is 10th in Division III basketball), with 25 three-point field goals made. He averaged 4.17 three pointers per game in November, which was the 17th most in the nation and best in the MAC Freedom.
• Washington was fourth in the MAC Freedom with 19.2 points per game and eighth with 5.67 rebounds in November.
• Michael Bowlers is also in the all-MAC Freedom team discussion as well. He leads the conference with 10.2 total rebounds per game and four double-doubles this season. Only five players in Division III basketball have more double-doubles than Bowlers.
• Bowlers is also third in the MAC Freedom with a 55.4 field goal percentage.
• Victor Pena is second in the MAC Freedom with 6.67 rebounds per game and fifth with 22 total assists.
• Pena led the MAC Freedom last year with 10.2 rebounds per game and 11 double doubles, and was second with 1.18 blocked shots per game.

 
Matchup History:
The Monarchs are 10-11 overall against the Eagles, but Eastern has won three of the last four matchups. The last time the two teams faced off, however, King's won a 96-90 overtime thriller, which was considered the best game of the year King's participated in. Down by eight with less than three minutes left in regulation, the Monarchs got the score within one in the next minute. Then down by five with 45 seconds left in regulation, the Monarchs evened the scored at 84 on Josh Bailey's layup with two seconds remaining. Then Bailey hit the go-ahead three in overtime to give the Monarchs the lead for good. Meanwhile, Darius Washington scored 23 points while Victor Pena scored 22 points alongside 16 rebounds in the loss for Eastern.
 
Up Next: The Monarchs will continue their slate of MAC Freedom play as they visit DeSales University, last year's MAC Freedom finalists, in Center Valley on Saturday for a 3 p.m. matchup.