WILKES-BARRE, PA (January 19, 2022) -- A hot shooting night for the visiting Wilkes University doomed the host King's College as the Monarchs dropped the hard-fought 88-70 contest in McGrane Gymnasium on Wednesday night. The Monarchs drop to 6-8 overall and 2-4 in Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) play while the Colonels improve to 4-10 and 2-6 in the conference.

In a rivalry game that featured five ties and six lead changes, the Monarchs came back after giving up two early baskets to lead, 11-8, on a pair of free throws from first year Eamonn Walsh. King's (6-8, 2-4 MAC Freedom) led by as much as four, but after a back-and-forth opening half the Monarchs trailed, 39-34 heading into the halftime break.

Each time it seemed Wilkes (4-10, 2-6 MAC Freedom) would run away with the game in the second half, King's responded to keep the deficit in single digits. After a three from senior Noah Tanner with 12:28 to play, the Colonels scored the next eight points to build a 65-50 advantage. The Monarchs chipped away at the lead and pulled within six, 67-61, on a layup from junior Collin Cook with 7:10 left in regulation, but an 11-0 run from the Colonels doomed the Monarchs down the stretch as they dropped the home MAC Freedom contest, 88-70.

First year Patrick Bennie led three in double figures with 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting, adding three rebounds, two assists, and a steal. Junior Tyler Faux totaled 13 points with three threes and four boards, while Walsh added 10 points. Senior Patrick Galvin grabbed a team-high six boards, while Tanner dished out a team-best five assists.

Drake Marshall led the Colonels as he was just one rebound shy of a triple-double with 28 points, 10 assists, and nine boards.

King's shot 45.3 percent (25-53) from the floor and 36.4 percent (8-22) from three in the loss. The Monarchs dished out 17 assists on 24 field goals and forced 15 Colonels turnovers. King's out scored Wilkes in points off turnovers (14-12) and bench points (27-8).

The Monarchs will be off until next Wednesday, January 26 as they travel up to Dallas, Pa. to take on the Cougars of Misericordia University at 8:00 p.m. in MAC Freedom play.