WILKES-BARRE, PA (February  5, 2020) -- The King's College men's basketball team out-shot the Eastern University Eagles, shooting 38.9 percent from the field and 43.8 percent from three, in the opening half to take the win, 73-63, in McGrane  Gymnasium Wednesday night. The Monarchs handed the Eagles just their second Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) loss with their home win.

The Monarchs came out of the gates running as they opened the game on a 13-4 run capped off with a three by sophomore Patrick Galvin. The Eagles pulled within one, 15-14, with 9:20 left in the half before King's held Eastern to just six points over the final stretch of the opening half to take a commanding 43-20 lead into the half time break.

King's held a 23-point advantage, 50-27, with 16:43 to play, but Eastern would not allow the Monarchs to put this one away as the two teams traded baskets over the next 5:35 with King's leading, 56-40. A 7-3 run by the Eagles saw them inch within 12 with 8:56 left, but freshman Tyler Faux answered with five straight points to build the Monarchs lead. Another big run for the Eagles pulled them within single digits, 64-55, with 5:46 on the game clock to force a King's timeout.

Out of the timeout, senior Josh Bailey found sophomore Jake Pawliczak for a layup, and on the next Monarchs possession, Bailey drained a three just before the shot clock expired to give King's a 69-57 advantage with three minutes left and gave the Monarchs the momentum to secure the win, 73-63.

Four led in double figures behind 17 points from Faux, totaling three three's. Sophomore JJ Glinsky came off the bench for a hot shooting night, recording 15 points with  three three's, and adding three assists. The senior duo of Bailey and Andrew Hudak rounded out the top offensive efforts, as Bailey recorded 14 points on 5-of-11 shooting, including 4-of-6  from three, and Hudak added 12 points with eight rebounds and a game-high five assists. Pawliczak pulled down eight boards, while adding eight points and two blocks, and senior Joe Lonardi came off the bench  to lead with two steals.

The Eagles (12-8, 7-2 MAC Freedom) were led by four in double figures as well, including 15 from Gabe Perez, 14 from Victor Peña, 13 from Michael Bowlers, and 12 from Draig Ruff. Peña added a double-double with a game-high 14 boards.

As a team, the Monarchs (11-9, 4-5 MAC Freedom) shot 38.7 percent (24-62) for the game, including 39.3 percent (11-28) from three. They won the battle on the boards tonight, pulling down 39 compared to the Eagles' 36. King's also dished out 17 assists on their 24 field goals, and forced 15 Eastern turnovers. Inside the box score, the Monarchs held the advantage in points from turnovers (19-16), fast break points (18-11), and bench points (17-7).

King's is back in action at home in McGrane Gymnasium on Saturday as they host FDU-Florham at 3:00 p.m.