WILKES-BARRE, PA (January 22, 2020) -- Senior Andrew Hudak was perfect from the field, going 12-for-12, as he totaled a career-high 27 points and a season-high nine rebounds to lead the King's College men's basketball team to their second-straight Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) win over cross-town rival Wilkes University, 75-72, at the Marts Center Wednesday night.

King's (9-7, 2-3 MAC Freedom) used a dominant first half where they shot 60.0 percent (15-25), including 50.0 percent (6-12) from three as they outscored Wilkes (8-8, 1-4 MAC Freedom), 44-35, to lead them in the win. The Colonels jumped to an early 11-6 lead before the Monarchs answered with three consecutive three's, one by sophomore JJ Glinsky and two by sophomore Kevin Hunter, to take a 15-11 lead. After Wilkes  answered with a three, a pair of free throws from Hudak and another Glinsky three gave King's a six-point lead with 10:30 to go in the half. Back-to-back three's by the Colonels tied the game at 20 with 9:09 left before the Monarch offense ignited as they went on a 20-6 run over the next 6:11 of play. Wilkes was able to close out the half on a 9-4 run to pull within nine, 44-35, at  the break.

The Monarchs continued their momentum as they built a 12-point lead, 49-37, off a layup by Hudak, but the Colonels answered with seven straight points to inch within five. The teams traded baskets over the next three minutes of action. A few fouls were called and slowed the pace of this high-intensity game, but each time Wilkes pulled within three off a free throw, King's responded. Then, a 6-0 run by the Colonels gave them their first lead since early in the opening half, but a layup by Hudak ignited the Monarchs to score six unanswered points to lead, 71-66, with 5:15 left. A pair of free throws from Wilkes were the only two points until a free throw by sophomore Patrick Galvin with 1:35 to go saw King's lead, 72-68.

Each team hit two more from the  charity stripe to force a Wilkes timeout with 57 seconds on the clock. The Colonels scored out of the timeout to pull within two, 74-72, as the Monarchs called a timeout. An empty possession for King's out of the timeout seemed daunting, but a big defensive stop capped by a rebound by sophomore Jake Pawliczak forced Wilkes to foul, and Pawliiczak hit one with just four seconds left on the clock to secure the win in the cross-town rivalry.

Hudak led three in double-digits, as Pawliczak recorded his fourth double-double of the season, including his third consecutive, with 15 points and 11 boards. Hunter also reached double figures with 14 points with four made three's. Galvin had a great overall effort, totaling seven points, five rebounds, and three assists, and senior Josh Bailey added three assists and six points.

The Colonels were led by four in double figures, including a double-double from Derek Heiserman with 15 points and 11 rebounds, 12 points Pecorelli, and 10 a piece from Mark Mullins and Jake Robel. Mullins led with six assists, and Pecorelli and Mullins added three steals each.

As a team, the Monarchs shot a remarkable 50.0 percent (27-54) from the field to out-shoot the Colonels (46.4 percent) for the game. King's also held  the advantage on the boards, pulling down 37 rebounds compared to Wilkes' 33. In addition, the Monarchs dished out 12 assists, and totaled six steals off 12 Colonels turnovers. Inside the box score, King's held the advantage in points in the paint (34-32) and totaled 20  bench points in the win.

The Monarchs return home on Saturday as they host the Delaware Valley University Aggies in McGrane Gymnasium at 3:00 p.m.