DALLAS, PA (January 26, 2022) -- Despite outscoring the host Misericordia University, 47-27, in the second half, the King's College men's basketball team showed early shortcomings as they dropped the Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) contest, 82-72, on the road on Wednesday night. The Monarchs fall to 6-9 overall and 2-7 in the MAC Freedom, while the Cougars improve to 7-11 overall and 5-5 in conference play.

King's (6-9, 2-7 MAC Freedom) trailed by just one point, 5-4, after a pair of free throws from first year Eamonn Walsh with 18:12 to play in the opening half. Misericordia (7-11, 5-5 MAC Freedom) took advantage of a hot shooting half and some Monarchs shortcomings as they led into the locker rooms, 55-25.

The Monarchs took advantage of 18 second-half free throws and used a spark from their bench to chip away at the Cougars lead and inch within 13 points, 69-56, off back-to-back threes from junior Sean Murphy and senior JJ Glinsky with 7:05 left in the game. Misericordia responded with an 8-0 run that rebuilt their advantage, and the Monarchs could not recover again down the stretch despite outscoring the Cougars 47-27 in the second half as they dropped the MAC Freedom matchup, 82-72.

All three Monarchs in double figures in the loss came off the bench to make their contributions. Glinsky totaled a team-high 11 points, while first year Patrick Bennie and sophomore Peri Basimakopoulos added 10  each with Basimakopoulos adding five boards. Sophomore Carmine Castiello added nine points with five rebounds, while senior Noah Tanner dished out a team-best six assists with three steals.

Elijah Rosenthal led four Cougars in double figures with 22 points with six threes, while Kevin Lazdowsky had a balanced night with 10 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, and three steals.

The Monarchs dished out 13 assists on 22 made baskets, while the defense forced 12 Cougars turnovers and committed just 10. King's led inside the stat sheet in points off turnovers (14-5), bench points (45-24), and fast break points (13-4).

King's returns home to McGrane Gymnasium this Saturday, January 29 as they host the Delaware Valley University Aggies in MAC Freedom play with a 3:00 p.m. start in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.