ST. DAVIDS, PA (January 8, 2020) -- The King's College men's basketball team struggled offensively in the opening half, shooting just 22.6 percent from the field for 17 first-half points compared to Eastern's 48.1 percent as they fell, 81-59, in their Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) opener Wednesday night.

Eastern (6-6, 1-0 MAC Freedom) jumped out to an early 11-0 lead before senior Josh Bailey stopped the run with 14:08 to play in the first. King's (6-5, 0-1 MAC Freedom) continued to struggle offensively as the Eagles built a 23-point lead at the half. The Monarchs came out of the break and were able to cut the lead to 19 (46-27) with 15:47 to play off a jumper by junior Brad Kalinowski, but Eastern used a 16-0 run over the next four minutes that King's was not able to overcome as they fell, 81-59.

The Monarchs were led by Kalinowski as he was the lone Monarch to record double-digits with a team-high 14 points, shooting 5-9 from the field and 3-5 from beyond the arc, and adding six rebounds. Senior Andrew Hudak and sophomore JJ Glinsky totaled nine a piece, and Hudak added a team-high seven boards. Adding to the offense tonight was Bailey who dished out a team-high six assists.

The Eagles saw five reach double figures led by Victor Pena, recording a double-double, with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Clifton Adams added 12 points, Draig Ruff and William Blet added 11 each, and Michael Bowlers totaled 10.

As a team, the Monarchs shot 31.3 percent for the game, connecting for 20 field goals off 16 assists. They also pulled down 59 rebounds, and they held the advantage in points off turnovers (16-9), fast break points (9-4), and bench points (32-26).

The Monarchs return to play in another MAC Freedom matchup on Saturday as they host the reigning conference champions and preseason favorites DeSales University at 3:00 p.m. in McGrane Gymnasium.