WILKES-BARRE, PA (December 31, 2021) -- The King's College women's basketball team shot a strong 51.4 percent (19-37) from the floor and forced 15 turnovers as they defeated Keystone College, 64-36, in non-conference play in McGrane Gymnasium. The Monarchs finish their non-conference schedule and improve to 8-4 overall, while the Giants fall to 6-4.

King's (8-4, 2-1 MAC Freedom) dominated the start of this game, storming out to a 17-0 lead before Keystone (8-4, 4-1 CSAC) got on the board with 5:01 left in the opening quarter. The Monarchs led by 22, 24-2, with 2:29 left, but an 8-0 Giants spurt to end the quarter saw the hosts still ahead, 24-10.

The Monarchs continued to cruise in the second as their lead swelled to as much as 26, 43-17, on a three from senior Samantha Rajza with 3:54 to play in the half before posting the 47-22 halftime score.

The pace of the game slowed in the second half, but King's continued to maintain a 20-point lead throughout the final quarters of play, including a 30-point advantage on another three from Rajza with 7:45 left in regulation. A free throw from sophomore Jackie Costello was the final point of the game with 1:32 left as the Monarchs secured the 64-36 win on their home court.


Junior Emily Morano led all scorers with 22 points, including 20 in the first half, on 9-of-13 shooting, with seven rebounds, four assists, and a team-high tying three steals. Rajza added 19 points, including four threes ,with four assists and three steals, while senior Emily Kriston led with eight boards and six assists. First year Alli Lindsay came off the bench to add eight caroms and six points, and sophomore Caileigh Costello pulled down seven rebounds with two assists and two steals.

Renata Alberici led Keystone with 12 points and eight rebounds, while Mac Oribello added 10 points.

King's dished out 17 helpers on its 25 field goals while winning the battle on the boards, 46-31. The Monarchs defense forced 29 Giants turnovers, collecting 16 steals, and held Keystone to 31.9 percent (15-47) shooting for the game. King's also led inside the box score in points off turnovers (24-13), second chance points (15-0), bench points (13-0), points in the paint (30-18), and fast break points (12-7).

The Monarchs are back in action as they return to MAC Freedom play on Wednesday, January 5 against Stevens Institute of Technology in McGrane Gymnasium at 6:00 p.m.