WILKES-BARRE, PA (January 15, 2020) -- Seniors Rebecca Prociak and Mackenzie Yori came up big for the Monarchs tonight, as they combined for 52 of the Monarchs 89 points as they start 3-0 in Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) play. The King's College women's basketball team (9-5, 3-0 MAC Freedom) handed the Stevens Ducks their first MAC Freedom loss of the season, 89-76, on Wednesday night.

It seemed as though the Monarchs could not miss a shot in the opening quarter as they started the game on a 22-5 run on their way to a 13-point advantage, 27-14, after one. Stevens responded to open the second quarter on a 12-0 run to pull within one, 27-26, with 7:51 to go in the half before consecutive baskets by Prociak, sophomore Samantha Rajza, and Yori rebuilt the Monarch lead. The pace quickened over the remainder of the half, as Stevens eventually tied the game at 38 with 18 seconds to go before Rajza scored the final three points of the half to put King's up, 41-38.

Yori scored five points to start the half for the Monarchs to build their lead, but the Ducks would not allow King's to pull away as they pulled within one twice over the next 2:39 of action. A three-point play by Prociak capped off a 6-2 run by the Monarchs, but it was time for another 7-2 run by Stevens to inch within one yet again, 61-60, with 1:25 left in the third as both teams traded baskets to end the quarter with King's still leading, 63-62.

Yori scored seven of the next 9 Monarchs points to give her team the lead, 72-64, with 7:10 remaining. Then as the Ducks pulled within four, senior Kayla Dillinger hit a three to give King's a seven-point cushion with 5:42 on the game clock. A pair of free throws by Prociak with 1:03 to play capped off a 9-6 run in favor of the Monarchs as they held a 10-point lead, 84-74. Stevens was forrced to foul, and King's delivered, hitting 3-of-4 down the stretch before a Prociak layup with 11 seconds left put the mark on the game as the Monarchs have their best start in conference play under head coach Caitlin Hadzimichalis. King's has not started 3-0 in MAC Freedom contests since their 2011-2012 season where they went on to reach the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Division III tournament.

Prociak recorded her seventh double-double of the year with a season-high 29 points and a career-high 20 rebounds while adding four assists. Yori totaled 23 points, including 20 in the second half, with three assists and two steals. Rajza was the other Monarch to total double digits as she added 19 points with six boards, three steals, and three assists. Sophomore Emily Kriston, Dillinger, and freshman Emily Morano rounded out the offense with six points a piece, and Kriston added team highs in assists (8) and steals (4).

Stevens (5-9, 2-1 MAC Freedom) was led by Jess Board with a double-double, recording 22 points and 14 rebounds. Emily Nunez (12) and Christina Li (10) were the other Stevens players to reach double figures tonight.

King's had a strong offensive performance tonight, shooting 39.7 percent (31-78) from the field and 36.7 percent (11-30) from three. They also totaled 44 rebounds, dished out 22 assists on their 31 field goals, and recorded 11 steals off 21  Ducks turnovers. Looking inside the box score, the Monarchs held the advantage in points off turnovers (32-14), second chance points (13-12), and fast break points (15-7).

The Monarchs are back in action on Saturday, weather permitting, as they travel to FDU-Florham to face the Devils in MAC Freedom play at 1:00 p.m.