WILKES-BARRE, PA (November 12, 2022) -- In the non-conference contest, the King's College women's basketball team dropped a 66-47 decision to the visiting Susquehanna University on Saturday evening in McGrane Gymnasium. The Monarchs fall to 1-2 overall, while the River Hawks start their 2022-23 season 1-0.
 
Despite facing an early deficit, the Monarchs rallied in the final 3:53 of the opening quarter to climb within three, 13-10, after the first period. Susquehanna (1-0) jumped out of the gates in the second with an 11-2 run before a layup from first year Juleesah Hines got the Monarchs back on the board with 3:51 left in the period, but the River Hawks maintained much of the momentum down the stretch as King's (1-2) trailed, 34-23, at the half time break.
 
King's struggled offensively in the third as they faced a 57-32 deficit heading into the final period of play. The Monarchs would not go away quietly as they out scored the visitors 15-9 in the final quarter, but their comeback efforts fell just short before posting the 66-47 final in McGrane Gymnasium.
 
Junior Caileigh Costello led the Monarchs with 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting, including 2-for-2 from beyond the arc, while sophomore Lauren Casey added seven points. Senior Cailin Wilson had a balanced game with six points, four steals, and two boards, and Hines added a team-high four rebounds in the loss.
 
The River Hawks were led by Kaitlyn Lynch with a game-high 20 points, a team-high tying eight boards, a team-best four steals, and three assists. Julia Pinckert dished out 11 assists in the win while adding eight rebounds and seven points.
 
As a team, the Monarchs shot 35.6 percent (16-45) from the floor and held the River Hawks to just 18.8 percent (3-16) from three. King's posted assists on half their baskets, posting eight assist on 16 made field goals. The Monarchs defense also forced 24 River Hawks turnovers while collecting 11 steals.
 
King's will be back in McGrane Gymnasium on Wednesday evening as they host Montclair State at 7:00 p.m. in non-conference play.