MADISON, NJ (November 27, 2021) -- A slow start in the opening half proved costly as the King's College women's basketball team fell, 70-52, at Drew University on Saturday afternoon.

King's (3-3) went basket-for-basket in the first three minutes of play before the host Drew (6-0) used an 11-4 run to lead, 16-9, with 3:10 left in the quarter. Three points from senior Samantha Rajza down the stretch closed the gap, 16-12, at the end of the first.

The Monarchs struggled to find a rhythm offensively in the second quarter as they went into the halftime break, trailing the Rangers, 33-21.

King's cut the deficit to single digits, 37-28, behind a 7-4 run to start the second half. Despite outscoring the Rangers 18-16 in the third, the Monarchs still trailed, 49-39, with one quarter of action to play.

The Rangers scored the first seven points of the fourth quarter to build their lead, and the Monarchs could not recover down the stretch as they fell, 70-52, on the road at Drew on Saturday afternoon.

Rajza, junior Emily Morano, and first year Alli Lindsay all led for King's with 11 points. Rajza added two boards and two steals, while Morano totaled four rebounds and three steals. Lindsay came off the bench to contribute a team-high nine caroms, two blocks, and two steals. Sophomore Caileigh Costello also came off the bench to add eight boards, four points, and a block.

Sekya Campbell led the Rangers off the bench with 18 points, while Joey Meyers recorded a double-double of 17 points and 13 rebounds.

As a team, King's recorded 37 team rebounds and forced 19 Drew turnovers. The Monarchs also led inside the box score in points off turnovers (18-6) and fast break points (11-9).

The Monarchs are back in action for their MAC Freedom opener at home against Misericordia University in McGrane Gymnasium on Wednesday, December 1 at 6:00 p.m.