WILKES-BARRE, PA (November 22, 2021) -- The King's College men's basketball team held the visiting Clarks Summit University Defenders to just 19 second-half points on 28.6 percent shooting on their way to a solid 78-58 win on Monday night in McGrane Gymnasium.

King's (4-2) trailed early, 11-7, off a three from Kelvin Chest with 15:37 to play in the opening half before taking a 12-11 lead on a layup from first year Patrick Bennie with 13:48 to go. Clarks Summit (2-7) built another four-point lead, 21-17, with 10:55 left before the Monarchs answered with an 18-6 run that gave them a 33-27 advantage with 5:31 left in the half. The game was tied two more times down the stretch before King's finished the half on a 6-4 run that gave them a 41-39 advantage at the break.

After giving up two early baskets, King's tightened up its defensive efforts and held the Defenders scoreless over the next 3:11 of play. The Monarchs built their first double-digit lead of the game, 58-47, off a jumper by junior Tyler Faux with 11:50 left in regulation and never looked back. A feed from junior Collin Cook found first year Patrick Bennie for a layup to put King's up, 73-53, with 3:49 left as the Monarchs cruised to the final buzzer to earn the 78-58 win on their home court.

Faux posted a season-best 18 points on 6-of-12 shooting to lead four in double figures. Senior Noah Tanner continued his strong play with 12 points, five boards, three assists, and two steals, while senior Patrick Galvin and sophomore Carmine Castiello each added 10 points, with Galvin grabbing a team-best six rebounds, tallying five assists, and making four steals. Bennie also played well with eight points on 4-for-7 shooting with four boards, three steals, and a block.

Kelvin Chest led Clarks Summit with 16 points, including four threes, with two blocks. Keith Hammond and Kyden Cash grabbed a team-high five boards each, while Hammond also dished out a team-high six assists.

King's shot 43.8 percent (28-64) for the game with seven three's and assisting on 18 of their 28 field goals. The Monarchs out-rebounded the Defenders, 41-39, and forced 19 Clarks Summit turnovers while recording 14 steals. Inside the box score, the Monarchs led in points off turnovers (17-7), points in the paint (34-22), and fast break points (10-6).

The Monarchs will be off for the holiday break and will return to play on Wednesday, December 1 as they open Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) play at home against Misericordia University in the night cap of the doubleheader. Tip-off is set for 8:00 p.m. in McGrane Gymnasium.