WILKES-BARRE, PA (January 19, 2022) -- The King's College women's basketball team overcame an uncharacteristically poor shooting night as they outscored the visiting Wilkes University Colonels, 23-9, in the fourth quarter on their way to a 58-47 win in McGrane Gymnasium. With the win in Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) play, the Monarchs improve to 10-6 overall, 4-3 in the conference, while the Colonels fall to 4-10, 3-5 against conference opponents.

King's (10-6, 4-3 MAC Freedom) came out to a slow start in the opening quarter, but a layup from junior Sarah Heiskell-Mann with three ticks left in the first pulled the hosts within three, 12-9. The Monarchs jumped out to a 11-4 start in the second before Wilkes (4-10, 3-5 MAC Freedom) battled to end the half ahead by one, 25-23.

The Colonels led by as much as seven, 33-26, with 7:29 left in the third before the Monarchs pulled out a gritty performance in the quarter to pull within three, 38-35, on a jumper from sophomore Caileigh Costello as the last field goal in the third.

The Monarchs exploded offensively in the fourth, shooting 40 percent from the field and from beyond the arc. After a Colonels free throw, a three from senior Samantha Rajza and a three-point play from junior Emily Morano put King's ahead by two, 41-39, with 8:32 left in the game. Wilkes closed the deficit to tie the game, 4-141, with 7:18 to play before Rajza scored all 10 of the Monarchs points in a 10-2 run that secured the win down the stretch, 58-47, in McGrane Gymnasium.

Rajza led with a game-high 20 points, including 13 in the fourth, with three assists. Morano added 10 points with a team-highs of seven rebounds, four rebounds, and two steals, while senior Emily Kriston totaled eight points, six boards, and three assists. Additionally, first year Alli Linday came off the bench to collect seven boards and block a team-best two shots.

Julia Marino led Wilkes with 16 points, shooting a perfect 5-for-5 from the field, while Kendra Smith totaled 10 rebounds and nine points.

Despite a poor shooting night, the Monarchs defense held Wilkes to 33.3 percent from the field in the game. The Monarchs dished out 17 assists on 19 field goals while pulling down 37 team rebounds. The defense forced 18 Colonels turnovers while totaling nine steals. Inside the box score, the Monarchs outscored the Colonels in the paint (25-12) and from the bench (16-9).

The Monarchs are off for the next week as they return to MAC Freedom play on Wednesday, January 26 as they travel up the mountain to take on the Cougars of Misericordia University at 6:00 p.m.