WILKES-BARRE, PA (December 5, 2018) – The King's College women's basketball team scored 28 first-quarter points, pulling away in the second half to earn an 88-59 victory in the Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) opener for both teams in play Wednesday from the McGrane Gymnasium.

The Monarchs (6-2, 1-0 MAC Freedom) burst out of the gates offensively in the opening stanza, using a 14-2 run through the midway point of the period to take a 14-4 lead in the game following a jumper by Rebecca Prociak. King's continued to increase its advantage, leading by 15 at the end of the first quarter following a three-pointer from freshman Emily Kriston just before the buzzer.

King's shot 53.3 percent (8-15) in the first quarter, making four of its six three-point attempts while knocking down eight of 14 attempts from the free-throw line. The Monarchs would lead by as many as 18 points in the second quarter, before taking a 16-point edge at 45-29 into the halftime break.

After the break, King's lead hovered around 20 points as freshman Samantha Rajza finished a fast break layup at the buzzer to take a 69-47 lead into the fourth quarter. The Monarchs finished the game hot offensively, hitting 57.1 percent (8-14) in the final frame to pull away for the victory.

Prociak had another outstanding contest for the Monarchs, as the reigning MAC Freedom Player of the Week posted 24 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. Prociak was 7-of-14 from the field, while connecting on 10-of-18 from the free-throw stripe.

Rajza had an impact game for KC, as the newcomer chalked up a career-high 23 points on 8-of-12 shooting, drilling three of her four shots from deep. She also posted nine rebounds, two assists, a block and steal as well.

Junior Mackenzie Yori finished with 18 points for King's, also registering three assists and four steals, and senior Alexis Steeber contributed 14 points, five rebounds in 19 minutes. Kriston also finished with seven points, four assists and four steals for King's, which shot 30-63 (47.6 percent) from the floor as a team.

King's once again took care of the ball well, dishing out 17 assists while committing just 12 turnovers, narrowly dropping the rebound battle, 44-42. The Monarchs outscored Eastern 28-12 in transition and posted a 26-9 edge in points off turnovers.

Eastern (4-4, 0-1 MAC Freedom) was mired in foul trouble much of the contest but got a team-high 12 points from Jaelyn Harris, while Viki Kneis posted 10 points and seven rebounds. Brianna Young-Harris came off the bench to score 11 points, grabbing six boards, and Bria Rivers chalked up an EU-high of 12 caroms. Eastern shot 24-of-65 (36.9 percent) from the field and was only 1-of-10 (10.0 percent) from deep. EU also committed 21 turnovers that contributed to the loss.

King's will now head out on the road for the next four games, taking on DeSales University (6-2, 1-0 MAC Freedom) in more MAC Freedom play Saturday, December 8 in Center Valley, PA.